TAO TE CHING by Lao Tzu translated by Gia Fu Feng and Jane English
Lao Tsu, the father of Taoism, became disillusioned with his life in the Chinese Imperial court and retired to the mountains to live a life of contemplation. Before he was allowed to leave the gatekeeper begged him to write down his wisdom. Lao Tsu agreed and wrote the Tao Te Ching (The Classic of the Way). Enigmatic yet practical, illusive yet profound, the Tao Te Ching is one of the foundations of Tai Chi Chuan. It h as been widely translated and studied by martial artists and scholars for centuries.
#1 The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth. The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
This appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.
#8 The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao
In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In business, be competent. In action, watch the timing.
No fight: No blame.
For the complete Tao Te Ching see the Tao Te Ching originally found at www.daily-tao.com
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