Taoism 101.58: Tao Te Ching chapter 58 - Tao of Thoreau METAPHYSICSNOVEMBER 23, 2012BY: GLENN BORKEN
Chapter Fifty-Eight of the Tao Te Ching continues the discussion of Government begun in Chapter Fifty-Seven. Government through Tao 58.1 When the government is unobtrusive, the people are sincere and honest. When the government is invasive and scrutinizing, the disappointed People will resort to treachery. 58.2 Good luck has its roots in bad luck, and bad luck lurks beneath good luck. 58.3 Who knows when the limit will be reached? What is normal becomes abnormal, and what is auspicious becomes ominous. Good things seem to change into bad, and bad things often turn out for good. Who knows why this happens, or when this cycle will end? This has perplexed people for a long time. Is anything as it appears to be? 58.4 Therefore the Sage’s honesty is as pointed as a square, but not piercing. The Sage’s integrity is as sharp as a knife but not cutting. The Sage is straight and direct, but not tactless. The Sage is enlightened, but does not dazzle others with brightness. Line one is a restatement of the first two lines of Chapter Fifty-Seven. Lao Tze is clearly protesting against the State, and suggesting that, if the Emperor and his Regime do not change their ways, there will be a rebellion. The corrupt Zhou Dynasty, however, lasted another couple of centuries. Henry David Thoreau seems to be referring to this line in Civil Disobedience. I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe--"That government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which the will have. Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government. Lines two and three describe the political turmoil of the period in which Lao Tze lived and died. Line four could be talking about the Sage, or the Sage-Ruler, or both. Lao Tze is not explicit here. Remember that he often speaks of Ideals. Line four is also a good guide for those interested in public speaking or teaching. It would also be a great Affirmation to say to oneself before engaging in these activities *********************************************************************** For an intense Psychic Reading, call 1-800-918-9410, Extension 31498, or 1-702-216-9900, Extension 812. *********************************************************************** http://www.examiner.com/article/taoism- ... of-thoreau [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Post message: [email protected] Subscribe : [email protected] Unsubscribe : [email protected] List owner : [email protected] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
