Fame or self: Which matters more?
Self or wealth: Which is more precious?
Gain or loss: Which causes more pain?
Gain or loss: Which causes more pain?
Those who are attached to things will suffer greatly.
Those who save will suffer heavy losses.
Those who are contented are never disappointed.
Those who know when to stop do not find themselves in trouble.
They remain forever safe.
Tao Te Ching of Lao Tsu, part 44:
Translated by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English with Toinette Lippe.
Thank you again Brian.
Sounds rather Sermon-on-the-Mountish to me. Not entirely sure, however......
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Great minds? I have always wondered what Jesus did with himself for all those years not mentioned in the biblical texts. Hmm.....
DeleteLao Tsu introduced the Deity into Taoism. Tao- the way. His philosophy - life of non overreaction, of simplicity, even of weakness. Yet it teaches important lessons of survival, keeping ones dignity, asceticism and withdrawal from the world, its pleasures and even its values. Proposed a small pacifist village way of life, but generally a distaste for politics. Seems to be quite e bit in common with Christianity. Also you may recall it was Confuciuos who introduced the reverse (negative as in don't do unto others as you would not have done to you) of the golden rule. Best wishes
ReplyDeleteIn his introduction to the translation I am reading, Needleman writes the following about Tao:
Delete"Metaphysically, the term Tao refers to the way things are; psychologically, it refers to the way human nature is constituted, the deep, dynamic structure of our being; ethically, it means the way human beings must conduct themselves with others; spiritually, it refers to the guidance that is offered to us, the methods of searching for the truth that have been handed down by the great sages of the past - the way of inner work."
I feel fortunate to have come to see all great bodies of belief, such as the Tao Te Ching and the Bible, as starting points in a search for inner meaning, undertaken over and over as they inspire me.
Hi Deanna,
ReplyDeleteGood for you. It’s a bit old but a terrific further reference should it be of interest - you can pick up the book for only about $7 second hand - Kung Hans and Ching Julia , Christianity and Chinese’s Religions SCM Press, Two distinguished scholars of the respective traditions. Best wishes