Tao Te Ching

Yes, my final RA Favorite Book for this year is Tao Te Ching, the ancient words of Lao Tzu translated by Stephen Mitchell.  It is a classic on how we should live, providing balance and perspective on gaining a generous spirit.  Throughout the 81 different brief ways of living, one is asked to reflect and adopt the various wise passages to become a better person. The reader is asked to work to be better in every aspect of our lives.  I think the very best way to explain the book is to share some of the more memorable passages I found.  You be the judge.  I think if we all reflected on some of these, the world, and all those who inhabit it, would be better.  Thanks for sharing this book as a favorite… and here it goes:

                If you understand others you are smart,

                If you understand yourself you are illuminated.

                If you overcome others you are powerful.

                If you overcome yourself you have strength.

                If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.

                If you can act with vigor, you have a will.

                If you don’t lose your objectives you can be long-lasting.

                If you die without loss, you are eternal.

And about the Tao itself….           The Tao is so vast that when you use it, something is always left.

                                                           How deep it is! It seems to be the ancestor of the myriad things.

                                It blunts sharpness, untangles knots, soften the glare, unifies the

                                Mundane.  It is so full!  It seems to have remainder.  It is the child

                                Of I don’t know who.  And prior to the primeval Lord-on-high.

And finally:                                           True words are not fancy.  Fancy words are not true.

                                                                The good do not debate.  Debaters are not good.

                                                                The one who really knows is not broadly learned,

                                                                The extensively learned do not really know.

                                                                The sage does not hoard, she gives people her surplus.

                                                                Giving her surplus to others she is enriched.

                                                                The way of Heaven is to help and not harm.