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Daily Tao Te Ching 🌿
Ancient Wisdom • Modern Peace
Complete journey: Ch. 1-81
Ancient Wisdom • Modern Peace
Complete journey: Ch. 1-81
Ch 70 - A Precious Jade
My words are easy to understand
And easy to put into practice
Yet no-one in the world understands them
And no-one puts them into practice
My words have their principles and my actions their governance
If people do not understand this, they cannot understand me
...
#Philsky
My words are easy to understand
And easy to put into practice
Yet no-one in the world understands them
And no-one puts them into practice
My words have their principles and my actions their governance
If people do not understand this, they cannot understand me
...
#Philsky
July 3, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Ch 70 - A Precious Jade
My words are easy to understand
And easy to put into practice
Yet no-one in the world understands them
And no-one puts them into practice
My words have their principles and my actions their governance
If people do not understand this, they cannot understand me
...
#Philsky
My words are easy to understand
And easy to put into practice
Yet no-one in the world understands them
And no-one puts them into practice
My words have their principles and my actions their governance
If people do not understand this, they cannot understand me
...
#Philsky
Ch 69 - Regretting Aggression
There is an axiom of military strategy:
I prefer to be the guest rather than the host
I prefer to retreat a foot than advance an inch
This is acting without moving
Fighting without bearing one's arms
Advancing where there is no enemy
Grasping no weapon
...
#Philsky
There is an axiom of military strategy:
I prefer to be the guest rather than the host
I prefer to retreat a foot than advance an inch
This is acting without moving
Fighting without bearing one's arms
Advancing where there is no enemy
Grasping no weapon
...
#Philsky
June 14, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Ch 69 - Regretting Aggression
There is an axiom of military strategy:
I prefer to be the guest rather than the host
I prefer to retreat a foot than advance an inch
This is acting without moving
Fighting without bearing one's arms
Advancing where there is no enemy
Grasping no weapon
...
#Philsky
There is an axiom of military strategy:
I prefer to be the guest rather than the host
I prefer to retreat a foot than advance an inch
This is acting without moving
Fighting without bearing one's arms
Advancing where there is no enemy
Grasping no weapon
...
#Philsky
Ch 68 - Following the Ancient Wisdom
A good officer is not aggressive
A good warrior does not lose his temper
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
A good officer is not aggressive
A good warrior does not lose his temper
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
May 14, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Ch 68 - Following the Ancient Wisdom
A good officer is not aggressive
A good warrior does not lose his temper
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
A good officer is not aggressive
A good warrior does not lose his temper
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Ch 67 - Three Treasures
All the world calls my Dao great, and unlike anything else
It is indeed because of its greatness that it resembles no other teaching
If it did resemble any other
It would have diminished
I have three treasures that I cleave to and cherish
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
All the world calls my Dao great, and unlike anything else
It is indeed because of its greatness that it resembles no other teaching
If it did resemble any other
It would have diminished
I have three treasures that I cleave to and cherish
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
May 12, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Ch 67 - Three Treasures
All the world calls my Dao great, and unlike anything else
It is indeed because of its greatness that it resembles no other teaching
If it did resemble any other
It would have diminished
I have three treasures that I cleave to and cherish
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
All the world calls my Dao great, and unlike anything else
It is indeed because of its greatness that it resembles no other teaching
If it did resemble any other
It would have diminished
I have three treasures that I cleave to and cherish
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Ch 66 - Taking the Lower Position
The reason why the rivers and oceans are lords of the valleys and streams
Is because they occupy the lower position
This is why they can rule over them
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
The reason why the rivers and oceans are lords of the valleys and streams
Is because they occupy the lower position
This is why they can rule over them
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
May 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Ch 66 - Taking the Lower Position
The reason why the rivers and oceans are lords of the valleys and streams
Is because they occupy the lower position
This is why they can rule over them
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
The reason why the rivers and oceans are lords of the valleys and streams
Is because they occupy the lower position
This is why they can rule over them
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 65 - The Great Congruence of the Dao
In ancient times, those adepts of the Dao
Did not seek to enlighten the people
But sought to dull their understanding
A knowledgeable population is hard to govern
Thus a ruler who disseminates knowledge to rule
Brings disaster to his country
...
#Philsky
In ancient times, those adepts of the Dao
Did not seek to enlighten the people
But sought to dull their understanding
A knowledgeable population is hard to govern
Thus a ruler who disseminates knowledge to rule
Brings disaster to his country
...
#Philsky
May 7, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Ch 65 - The Great Congruence of the Dao
In ancient times, those adepts of the Dao
Did not seek to enlighten the people
But sought to dull their understanding
A knowledgeable population is hard to govern
Thus a ruler who disseminates knowledge to rule
Brings disaster to his country
...
#Philsky
In ancient times, those adepts of the Dao
Did not seek to enlighten the people
But sought to dull their understanding
A knowledgeable population is hard to govern
Thus a ruler who disseminates knowledge to rule
Brings disaster to his country
...
#Philsky
Ch 64 - Being Cautious
Things are easy to handle in times of peace
And easy to plan against if there are no bad omens
The fragile is easily broken
The small is easily dispersed
Act before it becomes established
Govern before confusion sets in
...
#Philsky
Things are easy to handle in times of peace
And easy to plan against if there are no bad omens
The fragile is easily broken
The small is easily dispersed
Act before it becomes established
Govern before confusion sets in
...
#Philsky
April 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Ch 64 - Being Cautious
Things are easy to handle in times of peace
And easy to plan against if there are no bad omens
The fragile is easily broken
The small is easily dispersed
Act before it becomes established
Govern before confusion sets in
...
#Philsky
Things are easy to handle in times of peace
And easy to plan against if there are no bad omens
The fragile is easily broken
The small is easily dispersed
Act before it becomes established
Govern before confusion sets in
...
#Philsky
Reposted
"You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing."
~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)
#Painting, Walter Crane, Neptune’s Horses, 1892.
~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)
#Painting, Walter Crane, Neptune’s Horses, 1892.
April 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
"You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is a function of what the whole ocean is doing."
~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)
#Painting, Walter Crane, Neptune’s Horses, 1892.
~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)
#Painting, Walter Crane, Neptune’s Horses, 1892.
Ch 63 - By Means of the Dao
Through the Dao: one does through Not-doing
Manages by not intervening
Tastes by not tasting
Big, small, many, few make no difference
Eternity is met with Virtue
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Through the Dao: one does through Not-doing
Manages by not intervening
Tastes by not tasting
Big, small, many, few make no difference
Eternity is met with Virtue
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
April 18, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Ch 63 - By Means of the Dao
Through the Dao: one does through Not-doing
Manages by not intervening
Tastes by not tasting
Big, small, many, few make no difference
Eternity is met with Virtue
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Through the Dao: one does through Not-doing
Manages by not intervening
Tastes by not tasting
Big, small, many, few make no difference
Eternity is met with Virtue
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Ch 62 - Honouring the Dao
The Dao is the great mystery of Creation
It is a treasure to the good
And a refuge to the bad
Noble words can bring respect
Noble deeds can bring advancement
But what of the bad man?
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
The Dao is the great mystery of Creation
It is a treasure to the good
And a refuge to the bad
Noble words can bring respect
Noble deeds can bring advancement
But what of the bad man?
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
April 16, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Ch 62 - Honouring the Dao
The Dao is the great mystery of Creation
It is a treasure to the good
And a refuge to the bad
Noble words can bring respect
Noble deeds can bring advancement
But what of the bad man?
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
The Dao is the great mystery of Creation
It is a treasure to the good
And a refuge to the bad
Noble words can bring respect
Noble deeds can bring advancement
But what of the bad man?
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Ch 61 - The Power of Receptiveness
A great state is like the ocean receiving the rivers
In the intercourse of the world, it takes the female part
The female eternally subdues the male through passivity
In passivity it is receptive
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
A great state is like the ocean receiving the rivers
In the intercourse of the world, it takes the female part
The female eternally subdues the male through passivity
In passivity it is receptive
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
April 15, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Ch 61 - The Power of Receptiveness
A great state is like the ocean receiving the rivers
In the intercourse of the world, it takes the female part
The female eternally subdues the male through passivity
In passivity it is receptive
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
A great state is like the ocean receiving the rivers
In the intercourse of the world, it takes the female part
The female eternally subdues the male through passivity
In passivity it is receptive
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Ch 60 - Doing No Harm
Governing the state is like cooking a small fish
When the Dao orders the world
The spirits do not manifest themselves
It is not just that they do not manifest themselves
But that they will do no harm
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Governing the state is like cooking a small fish
When the Dao orders the world
The spirits do not manifest themselves
It is not just that they do not manifest themselves
But that they will do no harm
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
April 12, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Ch 60 - Doing No Harm
Governing the state is like cooking a small fish
When the Dao orders the world
The spirits do not manifest themselves
It is not just that they do not manifest themselves
But that they will do no harm
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Governing the state is like cooking a small fish
When the Dao orders the world
The spirits do not manifest themselves
It is not just that they do not manifest themselves
But that they will do no harm
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Ch 59 - Thrift
In governing the people and serving heaven
Nothing compares to thrift
It is only by thrift that one can be prepared
In being prepared one accumulates virtue
By accumulating virtue every obstacle is overcome
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
In governing the people and serving heaven
Nothing compares to thrift
It is only by thrift that one can be prepared
In being prepared one accumulates virtue
By accumulating virtue every obstacle is overcome
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
April 12, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Ch 59 - Thrift
In governing the people and serving heaven
Nothing compares to thrift
It is only by thrift that one can be prepared
In being prepared one accumulates virtue
By accumulating virtue every obstacle is overcome
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
In governing the people and serving heaven
Nothing compares to thrift
It is only by thrift that one can be prepared
In being prepared one accumulates virtue
By accumulating virtue every obstacle is overcome
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Ch 58 - Sharp but Not Dangerous
If government is subdued
The people will be honest
If government is obtrusive
The people will be discontent
Misery and happiness are inter-dependent
And one hides behind the other
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
If government is subdued
The people will be honest
If government is obtrusive
The people will be discontent
Misery and happiness are inter-dependent
And one hides behind the other
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
April 10, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Ch 58 - Sharp but Not Dangerous
If government is subdued
The people will be honest
If government is obtrusive
The people will be discontent
Misery and happiness are inter-dependent
And one hides behind the other
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
If government is subdued
The people will be honest
If government is obtrusive
The people will be discontent
Misery and happiness are inter-dependent
And one hides behind the other
...
#Philsky #Philosophy
Took a long break. Time to continue.
April 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Took a long break. Time to continue.
Ch 57 - Benefits of Simplicity
Be orthodox in governing the state
But unorthodox in war
Win the world by being uninvolved
How do I know this?
By this:
The more restrictions that are placed on the empire
The poorer the people become
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Be orthodox in governing the state
But unorthodox in war
Win the world by being uninvolved
How do I know this?
By this:
The more restrictions that are placed on the empire
The poorer the people become
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
March 13, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Ch 57 - Benefits of Simplicity
Be orthodox in governing the state
But unorthodox in war
Win the world by being uninvolved
How do I know this?
By this:
The more restrictions that are placed on the empire
The poorer the people become
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Be orthodox in governing the state
But unorthodox in war
Win the world by being uninvolved
How do I know this?
By this:
The more restrictions that are placed on the empire
The poorer the people become
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 56 - Honouring the Dao
A wise man speaks little
A garrulous man is not wise
Block the openings
Shut the doors
Blunt the edges
Loosen the knots
Soften the glare
Settle the dust
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
A wise man speaks little
A garrulous man is not wise
Block the openings
Shut the doors
Blunt the edges
Loosen the knots
Soften the glare
Settle the dust
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
March 11, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Ch 56 - Honouring the Dao
A wise man speaks little
A garrulous man is not wise
Block the openings
Shut the doors
Blunt the edges
Loosen the knots
Soften the glare
Settle the dust
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
A wise man speaks little
A garrulous man is not wise
Block the openings
Shut the doors
Blunt the edges
Loosen the knots
Soften the glare
Settle the dust
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 55 - Purity of the New-Born
We should measure our virtue against that of a new-born child
Neither hornets nor scorpions nor snakes will sting an infant
Savage beasts will not attack it
Birds of prey will not swoop on it
Its bones and sinew are soft, but its grip is strong
...
#Philsky
We should measure our virtue against that of a new-born child
Neither hornets nor scorpions nor snakes will sting an infant
Savage beasts will not attack it
Birds of prey will not swoop on it
Its bones and sinew are soft, but its grip is strong
...
#Philsky
March 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Ch 55 - Purity of the New-Born
We should measure our virtue against that of a new-born child
Neither hornets nor scorpions nor snakes will sting an infant
Savage beasts will not attack it
Birds of prey will not swoop on it
Its bones and sinew are soft, but its grip is strong
...
#Philsky
We should measure our virtue against that of a new-born child
Neither hornets nor scorpions nor snakes will sting an infant
Savage beasts will not attack it
Birds of prey will not swoop on it
Its bones and sinew are soft, but its grip is strong
...
#Philsky
Ch 54 - Cultivating Virtue
What is well founded cannot be uprooted
What is well protected cannot be torn away
Sons and grandsons maintain the ancestral rites
If the Dao is cultivated by an individual
His Virtue is constant
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
What is well founded cannot be uprooted
What is well protected cannot be torn away
Sons and grandsons maintain the ancestral rites
If the Dao is cultivated by an individual
His Virtue is constant
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
March 10, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Ch 54 - Cultivating Virtue
What is well founded cannot be uprooted
What is well protected cannot be torn away
Sons and grandsons maintain the ancestral rites
If the Dao is cultivated by an individual
His Virtue is constant
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
What is well founded cannot be uprooted
What is well protected cannot be torn away
Sons and grandsons maintain the ancestral rites
If the Dao is cultivated by an individual
His Virtue is constant
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 53 - The Winding By-ways
Should I suddenly find myself in a position
To govern according to the Dao
I would only have one cause for concern
The Dao, is straight and easy
But people prefer the winding by-ways
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Should I suddenly find myself in a position
To govern according to the Dao
I would only have one cause for concern
The Dao, is straight and easy
But people prefer the winding by-ways
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
March 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Ch 53 - The Winding By-ways
Should I suddenly find myself in a position
To govern according to the Dao
I would only have one cause for concern
The Dao, is straight and easy
But people prefer the winding by-ways
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Should I suddenly find myself in a position
To govern according to the Dao
I would only have one cause for concern
The Dao, is straight and easy
But people prefer the winding by-ways
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 52 - Understanding the Infinite
The world had its origin in the Dao
Which may be considered as its mother
By knowing the mother you can know the child
By knowing the child, you cherish the mother the more
And even death holds no fear
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
The world had its origin in the Dao
Which may be considered as its mother
By knowing the mother you can know the child
By knowing the child, you cherish the mother the more
And even death holds no fear
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
March 5, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Ch 52 - Understanding the Infinite
The world had its origin in the Dao
Which may be considered as its mother
By knowing the mother you can know the child
By knowing the child, you cherish the mother the more
And even death holds no fear
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
The world had its origin in the Dao
Which may be considered as its mother
By knowing the mother you can know the child
By knowing the child, you cherish the mother the more
And even death holds no fear
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 51 - The Mysterious Process
The Dao produces
Virtue nurtures
Substance gives form
Circumstance complete
Thus everything in Creation reveres the Dao and honours Virtue
Reverence for the Dao and honour for Virtue
Are not observed by command, it is the eternal natural way
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
The Dao produces
Virtue nurtures
Substance gives form
Circumstance complete
Thus everything in Creation reveres the Dao and honours Virtue
Reverence for the Dao and honour for Virtue
Are not observed by command, it is the eternal natural way
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
February 28, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Ch 51 - The Mysterious Process
The Dao produces
Virtue nurtures
Substance gives form
Circumstance complete
Thus everything in Creation reveres the Dao and honours Virtue
Reverence for the Dao and honour for Virtue
Are not observed by command, it is the eternal natural way
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
The Dao produces
Virtue nurtures
Substance gives form
Circumstance complete
Thus everything in Creation reveres the Dao and honours Virtue
Reverence for the Dao and honour for Virtue
Are not observed by command, it is the eternal natural way
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 50 - Life and Death
We may expect three in ten to live out their natural life
Three in ten to die an untimely death
And three in ten will live precariously at risk of death
Why is this? Because they value their life too highly
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
We may expect three in ten to live out their natural life
Three in ten to die an untimely death
And three in ten will live precariously at risk of death
Why is this? Because they value their life too highly
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
February 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Ch 50 - Life and Death
We may expect three in ten to live out their natural life
Three in ten to die an untimely death
And three in ten will live precariously at risk of death
Why is this? Because they value their life too highly
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
We may expect three in ten to live out their natural life
Three in ten to die an untimely death
And three in ten will live precariously at risk of death
Why is this? Because they value their life too highly
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 49 - The Enlightened Man
The enlightened man has no will of his own
He follows the will of the people
I am kind to those who are kind to themselves
I am also kind to the unkind
The Virtue of kindness
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
The enlightened man has no will of his own
He follows the will of the people
I am kind to those who are kind to themselves
I am also kind to the unkind
The Virtue of kindness
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
February 21, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Ch 49 - The Enlightened Man
The enlightened man has no will of his own
He follows the will of the people
I am kind to those who are kind to themselves
I am also kind to the unkind
The Virtue of kindness
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
The enlightened man has no will of his own
He follows the will of the people
I am kind to those who are kind to themselves
I am also kind to the unkind
The Virtue of kindness
...
#Philosophy #Philsky
Ch 48 - Loss Upon Loss
Through study one adds knowledge daily
In practising the Dao one subtracts daily
Loss upon loss until one reaches a state of Not-Doing
Through Not-Doing everything may be done
The empire is won by not interfering
Interfere and the empire will never be won.
- Lao Tzu
Through study one adds knowledge daily
In practising the Dao one subtracts daily
Loss upon loss until one reaches a state of Not-Doing
Through Not-Doing everything may be done
The empire is won by not interfering
Interfere and the empire will never be won.
- Lao Tzu
February 20, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Ch 48 - Loss Upon Loss
Through study one adds knowledge daily
In practising the Dao one subtracts daily
Loss upon loss until one reaches a state of Not-Doing
Through Not-Doing everything may be done
The empire is won by not interfering
Interfere and the empire will never be won.
- Lao Tzu
Through study one adds knowledge daily
In practising the Dao one subtracts daily
Loss upon loss until one reaches a state of Not-Doing
Through Not-Doing everything may be done
The empire is won by not interfering
Interfere and the empire will never be won.
- Lao Tzu