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Tao Te Ching
THE TAOISM OF LAO TZU
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Tao Te Ching
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The Book
The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained. The great Taoist philosophy classic by Lao Tzu translated, and each of the 81 chapters extensively commented. Click the image to see the book at Amazon (paid link). |
Tao Te ChingWhat to Trust?
We are never closer to misery than when we are happy. The one so easily turns into the other. They are strongly linked, and mutually dependent. Were it not for happiness, misery would not exist, and the other way around. So, it's not always evident which is which.
What was correct can suddenly prove to be completely wrong. It happens all the time in science. It's not rare in politics and philosophy either. The same uncertainty can be found in ethics. What's right today may be dead wrong tomorrow. What seems to be good can threaten to do a lot of harm.
The future is as vague as the true state of the present. We don't know where we are going, because we don't really know where we are.
Since mankind stands on such shaky ground, it would be rude and obtrusive of the sage to shout commands, declare conclusions, and point in an exact direction. People don't follow willingly when they feel forced, and they can't understand what they are not allowed to examine by themselves.
The sage can gently give clues and appropriate suggestions, without demanding compliance. No more.
Governments should do the same. Even if they are certain of knowing what's best for everybody, it will not be accomplished if done by force. People will react and resist.
That might seem almost self-destructive, but the damage would be more severe and profound if people allowed themselves to be led on the Way, as if they were sheep. They are not, so they need to find their own way, even if that should lead them away from Tao. Otherwise they can never know when they happen to step on the right track.
We don't walk on the Way with our feet only. We must be there with our whole beings, including our minds and hearts. So, it has to be voluntary, and the progress must be felt inside, instead of just proclaimed from above. We simply have to do it ourselves, each and every one of us.
This is explained in chapters 18 and 38. Force is the worst, then rituals, then righteousness, then benevolence, then virtue, and above them all is Tao. It's impossible to lead people to Tao by force, almost as impossible to do it with rituals, and just slightly more possible with righteousness.
Benevolence could almost do the trick, but not if it's turned into one of the others. It usually is. Benevolence is often used as an excuse for force, although force can never be benevolent.
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Tao Te Ching Explained
Preface
Introduction
Literature
translated and explained by Stefan Stenudd.
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