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laotse
December 2008 
老子说/ Laozi speaks
Posted on Jan 3rd, 2007
by 
Erick
Erick
èå說 / Laozi Speaks
Book Tao Speaks
The Wisdom of Life
From the most ancient times, the standard teachings had been:
(dialogue bubble) "You must exhibit your strength and intelligence; don't
let people think you are weak or foolish."
P2: However, a very unique man named Laozi appeared early on in Chinese
History.
P3: Exhibit weakness and foolishness don't let people thinkyou are strong
or intelligent. Remember the importance of non-action, no-self, no-desires,
humility, tranquility, being natural...
P4: Little guy "Most people think that being strong is good."
Laozi :" But strength will break when weakness will remain in tact."
P5: Laozi "For instance, what is the hardest part of your body and what's the softest ?"
"My teeth are the hardest and my tongue is the softest."
P6 Laozi "Take a look, I'm so old that my teeth have all fallen out, yet
my tongue is just fine."
P7: Laozi:"A huge tree is stronger than a tiny blade of grass, right ?"
"Right !"
P8 Laozi :" But in a typhoon , it's the huge tree that gets pulled up by
the force of the wind while the tiny grass just sways back and forth."
P9: Laozi :" Although the wind has no form or body, it can blow down
houses and uproot trees."
P10 Water is the most pliant of things, and yet it can erode away mountains
and carve out canyons. This should explain that firmness isn't necessarily
strength, while weakness actually is strength."
Laozi :" Most people think that intelligence is good, but a wise person
should exhibit foolishness .Great wisdom appears to be foolishness."
P12: Laozi : " Wealthy people often give the appearance of having nothing"
(Inside bubble :" No, No. I don't have much money at all.")
P13 On the other hand, a peson with diamond rings, gold fillings, and gold
chains around his neck may be returning to an empty house. "Hmph! Showoff."
P14: Laozi :" If you want to be a success, concentrate all of your energy
and intelligence on one thing and play the fool in all others."
P15: Laozi:" Excuse me, are you good at writing, painting and all that other stuff ?"
"Sorry, I only know GO."
P16 Little guy :" Ha, Ha. I've studied them all-writing, painting , everything."
P17 Laozi: "And what are you best at ?"
" Well...I...um...I guess...none. Really...."
P18: Laozi :"He is the grand master of GO."
" I guess I'm just a jack of all trade and master of none..."
P19: Laozi "If you try to learn everything about everything, you'll just
end up with a superficial knowledge leading nowhere."
P20 : Laozi believed that weakness allows us to be jumble and
noncontentious, and that that through foolishness , we can do away with the
superficial and get down to reality. Everything in accordance with nature.
P21 : Most people can only see the face of things, but Laozi could see the
back as well.
"Sharp."
"Yes, but this side is blunt."
P22: Laozi's thinking was vast and all-inclusive, everlasting and
adaptable, able to adjust in adversity, and if obstructed or attacked, able
to wind around and continue forward.
P23: Laozi was opposed to material desires, favoring instead a spiritual
life. He was opposed to unnecessary action, preferring to follow nature. He
emphasized the spirit, making material things subservient to it.
Access: Public
Thanks for the memories
The Taiwan artist–cartoonist–philosopher
I was his private English teacher in Taipei 20 years ago…
RE:
<<
life. He was opposed to unnecessary action, preferring to follow nature. He
emphasized the spirit, making material things subservient to it.>>>
“opposed”???
Thanks for the comment. I also have created a board about him in my pod: “The Global Daoism Pod on Zaadz.” A friend from Taiwan was also plessantly surprised that I made a board about him, because he is very famous in Taiwan. I also have one cartoon (book) from him about Laozi, that is translated into Dutch. I wish that they would broadcast his cartoons at the Dutch televion. I think that there is a little chance that this will happen.