A few Taoist Quotes

by darkuncle29 3 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • darkuncle29
    darkuncle29

    I typed these myself, so pardon any errors. Many of these have multi level meanings, or were used in different branches of Chinese philosophy and culture.

    30. Those who assist leaders with the Way

    do not coerce the world with weapons,

    for these things are apt to backfire.

    Brambles grow where an army has been;

    there are always bad years after a war.

    Therefore the good are effective, this is all;

    they do not presume to grab power thereby:

    they are effective but not conceited,

    effective but not proud,

    effective but not arrogant.

    They are effective when they have to be,

    effective but not coercive.

    If you peak in strength, you then age;

    this, it is said, is unguided.

    The unguided soon come to an end.

    37. The Way is always uncontrived,

    yet there's nothing it doesn't do.

    If lords and monarchs could keep to it,

    all beings would evolve spontaneously.

    When they have evolved and want to act,

    I would stabilize them with nameless simplicity.

    Even nameless simplicity would not be wanted.

    By not wanting, there is calm,

    and the world will straighten itself.

    46. ...No crime is greater than approving of greed;

    no calamity is greater than discontent,

    no fault is greater than possessiveness.

    So the satisfaction of contentment is always enough.

    56. Those who know do not say;

    those who say do not know. ...

    57. Use straightforwardness for civil government,

    use surprise for military operations;

    use noninvolvement to take the world.

    How do I know this?

    The more taboos there are in the world,

    the poorer the populace is;

    the more crafts the people have,

    the more exotic things are produced;

    the more laws are promulgated,

    the greater the number of thieves.

    Therefore the sage says,

    I contrive nothing,

    and the people are naturally civilized;

    I am fond of tranquility,

    and the people are naturally upright.

    I have nothing to do,

    and the people are naturally enriched;

    I have no desire,

    and the people are naturally simple.

    74. If people usually don't fear death,

    how can death be used to scare them?

    If people are made to fear death,

    and you can catch and kill them

    when they act oddly,

    who would dare? ...

    81. True words are not beautiful,

    beautiful words are not true.

    The good are not argumentative,

    the argumentative are not good.

    Knowers do not generalize,

    generalists do not know.

    Sages do not accumulate anything

    but give everything to others,

    having more the more they give.

    The Way of heaven

    helps and does not harm.

    The Way for humans

    is to act without contention.

  • Narkissos
    Narkissos

    Thanks Darkuncle,

    Tao te king was one of my happiest findings when I was out of the WT...

  • Seven
    Seven

    Hi Darkuncle,

    Good post. You might enjoy reading a thread from our past.

    http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/16/10825/130085/post.ashx#130085

    seven

  • Satanus
    Satanus
    the world will straighten itself
    So the satisfaction of contentment is always enough.

    SS not needing to add anything.

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit