Lao Tzu Thoughts From The Tao-Te Ching Summary

Refraining from absolute negativity about Lao-Tzu’s work, the Tao does have many redeemable qualities. The emphasis Lao-Tzu places on the attainment of individual happiness is extremely honorable, however this doesn’t detract from the ineffectiveness Lao-Tzu encounters, as he is unable to come to well-grounded conclusion on the means for effective leadership. His advice to politicians is to only interfere when it is an absolute necessity; yet he takes this to a radical extreme advising leaders to pretty much do nothing. His ideas are taken to an extent where if human nature falters, which it

(Smith 196-99; Tao Je Ding scripture) Explain the life and characteristics of Lao Tzu. How does the enigmatic character of Lao Tzu’s biography also reflect the enigmatic (in other words: mysterious, paradoxical) character of the Tao Je Ding? Give one or more specific example from this scriptural text citing the specific chapter.

I would like to say that I chose the Tao Te Ching, however, it chose me. I was first introduced to this text one Christmas morning, many years ago, and it has been with me (in one way or another) ever since. Due to my lifestyle I was constantly losing my copy, and in my attempts to replace it I had the pleasure of owning a multitude of versions, and differing translations. Today I will be using the 1988 publication of the Tao Te Ching as translated by author Stephen Mitchell (as my primary source). One of the main reasons I chose Mitchell’s translation is because he uses “she” instead of the conventional “he” throughout his text. I found this to be refreshing and Mitchell explains this by in the forward to

In the short passage by Lao-Tzu, “Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching,” Tzu describes the absolute concept of how a ruler should govern his country with the usage of the Tao or the natural “Way” of life. Lao-Tzu emphasizes a lot about how a ruler should be patient, humble, and liberal for his county and for his citizen and should always avoid being in a war. He believes that the individual happiness will appear with minimal involvement in lives, which will eventually come naturally when one refuses their wants and desires. Instead of worrying about whats beyond the country, the ruler should be more focused on his people’s values and care for the families within the boundaries. Lao-Tzu points out that, simplicity, patience, and compassion are the

How perfect would It be if our government was run according to Lao-tzu and his teachings in Tao-te Ching? Lao-tzu believed in the unseen

The Qin dynasty was perhaps one of the most revolutionary governments in the ancient world, but not in the modern progressive connotation of that concept. The Qin Emperor, Shi Huangdi, and his court executed an unprecedented departure from the Confucian ideals of the Benevolent and unobtrusive ruler and established a much more autocratic and centralized government. This new method of rule and philosophic thought was known as Legalism, which surfaced as a response to a time of great political instability. Therefore, Legalism promoted values that opposed those championed by Confucian thought, such as decisiveness, a lack of trust, and severe punishment, qualities that are reflected in The Legalist Teachings. "Changing the Laws" in one such passage in this document that stresses the importance of acting with confidence stating how "those who hesitate to act accomplish nothing" ¨ (Ebrey, Legalist Teachings, pg. 32).

Government is the essential power of a country, which directly influences society because it provides somewhat of a security blank for those who are affected by it. Lao-Tzu’s, “Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching,” along with Niccolo Machiavelli’s, “The Qualities of the Prince,” both discuss multiple characteristics that a leader should possess to be a successful. While their goal is similar, in which they both describe what it takes to become a better leader, their ideas concerning leading are conflicting.

Who is Lao Tzu? What is the purpose of Tao Te Ching? Why did Lao Tzu write Tao Te Ching? “Lao Tzu was a Chinese philosopher credited with founding the philosophical system of Taoism…He is thought to have lived in the 6th century BEC” (Mark). Lao Tzu’s philosophy of non-action has a great impact on future generations, because it can make the country become peaceful. Tao Te Ching was primarily writing to the rulers and the emperors of that time, he wants all the countries and subsidiary countries in China can coexist together peacefully, hoping that there will be no more wars. The poetic style of Tao Te Ching makes it universal, because it teaches people how to think and to behave well in an manner that can be acceptable and understandable

The government’s role is to control a country. However, people have different views of how a ruler should control, especially over righteousness. In the movie, Wag the Dog, there are two different political views of Machiavelli and Lao-tzu shown. Machiavelli believes that a good leader must know to avoid bad reputation or they would lose their title, and that is what happens in the movie. When the president of the United States gets into a sex scandal, Brean, a spin doctor, calls a Hollywood producer to make an artificial war as distraction. The president is in the middle of an election, if he didn’t act up, he could’ve lost his position. Lau-tzu claimed that a leader should lead their people by weakening and confusing their determinations.

A ruler, in China, is the most honored person in the Chinese society, but the ruler has an obligation to be a moral and upright individual. The Tao addresses these individuals on page

A perfect government does not exist in this world, but a just one is always welcomed. The literary work Analects by Confucius shows the perspective of a philosopher and his version of an ideal China. Confucius is a philosopher that wrote his philosophy based on the world that surrounds him, and influence from the Zhou dynasty. One of the major subjects Confucianism addresses is China’s politics and government during Confucius’s time. Confucius tries to offer solutions through his philosophy to better China and its people. Confucius’s Analects is a critique of the dire rulers and China’s government, and tries to provide solutions to better China.

As the rain began to come down in an awkward fashion, as if it were

Lao Tzu implies that the ideal individual “thinks of his enemy as the shadow that he himself casts” (61). Opposing forces naturally exist within nature such as light and dark. However, the concept of ‘enemies’ is birthed from one's own mind. ‘Enemies’ embody the traits or beliefs that one finds unfavorable. Lao Tzu uses the image of a shadow as it demonstrates how that the things one hates are born from the flaws within, similarly to how one creates his/her own shadow. In order to create a shadow, one must stand in the light. Therefore, they see the light but not the darkness created behind them. In this situation, the light represents one desires while the darkness represents their distastes. This concept is extremely prevalent in western

1.) According to Lao-tzu, what must the ruler provide the people with if they are to be happy?

When the early Christians had to keep their faith against the persecutions of the Roman Empire, they had -- obviously -- a visible enemy. Once their religion was legalized and established, however, they had new questions to ask concerning who they were, what could hurt their souls and their way of life. Some of them, at least, concluded that the materialism of the dominant Roman way of life was a non-agressive, but equally corrosive force that would destroy them -- not physically, but spiritually. These Fourth Century Christians, men and women, then left their societies and withdrew into the desert to be able to find true "paradise," not in a safe, secure niche in society, but in their relationship with