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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). |
The Greatest Gift
This chapter is partly rather confusing. The division of people into good and bad is not as convincingly Taoist as, say, comparing their distance to Tao, the Way. But they might refer to the same thing.
Lao Tzu is clear about those close to Tao being good, so maybe those far away from it can be called bad. Still, it would be more accurate to call them lost, like someone leaving the road and getting too deep into the forest.
There's also an interesting difference in what Tao is to the good and the bad: a treasure to the former and a refuge to the latter. It indicates that the good are able to use their understanding of Tao, whereas the others depend on it for their well-being. One is active, the other passive.
This is repeated later in the chapter, where it says that Tao saves you from wrongdoings.
It's a message of forgiveness. Tao is like a mother also to those who have turned away from it. None is abandoned. Those who speak fine words and do noble deeds get their rewards, so they should do fine. But it would be cruel to abandon those who are unable of the same, those who don't shine.
Caring For All
Therefore, the first thing that the emperor should receive when crowned is the understanding of Tao and the compassion it promotes.So should the three dukes, san-kung. This important trio of ancient China consisted of the Grand Preceptor, the Grand Mentor, and the Grand Guardian. In later versions of the Tao Te Ching they were changed to the three ministers, san-ch'ing, those of education, war, and work, because they became more important in the government of China.
Rulers on all levels must understand that society can only improve if all its inhabitants are guided. If just the ones who already behave decently are cared for, the others will soon cause tremendous problems. When they are deserted and damned, the only thing remaining for them is to revolt.
Caring for the bad as well as the good is not only the compassionate thing to do. It's also the most practical.
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Tao Te Ching Explained
Preface
Introduction
Literature
translated and explained by Stefan Stenudd.
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Tao Te Ching Explained
James Legge's Tao Te Ching
Aleister Crowley's Tao Te Ching
The 1st Chapter of Tao Te Ching in 76 Versions
Lao Tzu — Legendary Author of Tao Te Ching
My Taoism Books:
Tao Te Ching
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 Quotes
The Ancient Wisdom of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. 389 quotes from the foremost Taoist classic, divided into 51 prominent topics. Click the image to see the book at Amazon (paid link).
Fake Lao Tzu Quotes
Erroneous Tao Te Ching Citations Examined. 90 of the most spread false Lao Tzu quotes, why they are false and where they are really from. Click the image to see the book at Amazon (paid link).
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Life Energy Encyclopedia
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Stefan Stenudd
About me
I'm a Swedish author and aikido instructor. In addition to fiction, I've written books about Taoism and other East Asian traditions. I'm also an historian of ideas, researching ancient thought and mythology. Click the image to get to my personal website.Contact