English Translation
If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtle perception of the way things are. The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast. Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results. Fish can’t leave deep waters, and a country’s weapons should not be displayed.
Original Text
将欲歙之，必固张之；将欲弱之，必固强之；将欲废之，必固兴之；将欲取之，必固与之。是谓微明。柔弱胜刚强。鱼不可脱于渊，国之利器不可以示人。
Explanation with Examples
- The Tao works in paradoxical ways, often achieving its ends through seemingly contradictory means. Just as a tree must first send down deep roots before it can grow tall, a person must often first experience hardship and challenges before they can achieve greatness.
- The soft and slow may seem weak and ineffective, but in reality, they have a hidden strength that can overcome the hard and fast. Just as water can slowly erode even the hardest rock, a gentle and persistent approach can often achieve more than a forceful and aggressive one.
Call to Action
To align ourselves with the Tao and achieve our goals, we must learn to embrace paradox and work with the natural flow of things. By allowing things to expand before we shrink them, flourish before we get rid of them, and be given before we take them, we can tap into the subtle power of the Tao.
Take action today:
- Embrace paradox and look for the hidden opportunities in challenges and setbacks
- Cultivate a soft and gentle approach, trusting in the power of persistence and patience
- Allow things to unfold naturally, rather than trying to force or control them
- Keep your workings a mystery, and let your results speak for themselves
- Remember that true power comes from aligning oneself with the Tao, not from displaying one’s weapons or abilities
By embracing paradox and working with the natural flow of things, we can tap into the subtle power of the Tao and achieve our goals with ease and grace. Remember that the soft overcomes the hard, the slow overcomes the fast, and that true power comes from mystery and humility.
References:
Black Myth: Wukong – How a Risky Business Model Fueled China’s Biggest Gaming Sensation
The Battle Between Apple and WeChat: How Chinese Netizens are Reacting to the Potential Loss of a Vital App
The IBM Exodus: Unraveling the Complexities of China’s Tech Landscape
The Meng Hexagram: Exploring the Ancient Chinese Wisdom of the I Ching
The Tun Hexagram: Navigating Life’s Difficulties in the I Ching
The Enigmatic Kun Hexagram: Exploring the Depths of the I Ching
Qian: Unraveling the Mysteries of the First Hexagram in the Book of Changes
The Tao Te Ching – Chapter 33
The Struggles and Resilience of Alibaba: A Giant at a Crossroads
Journey to the West: The Legendary Tale Behind China’s Record-Breaking Video Game “Black Myth: Wukong”
Decoding the US-China Divide Behind Eric Schmidt’s Stanford Speech
The Enduring Legacy of Dong Zhongshu: The Confucian Scholar’s Impact on Chinese Thought and Society
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The Enigmatic Sage: Yan Hui, Confucius’ Most Beloved Disciple
Wang Yangming: A Luminary of Chinese Philosophy, Military, and Literature
The Tao Te Ching – Chapter 29
Xunzi: The Ancient Chinese Philosopher Who Believed Human Nature Is Evil
Mencius: The Second Sage of Confucianism
Confucius: The Sage Who Shaped Chinese Civilization
The Emei Female Kung Fu Troupe: China’s Cultural Marvel Takes the World by Storm
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The Rise of a Math Prodigy: Jiang Ping’s Controversial Journey from Vocational School to Global Math Competition
Jiang Ping’s Rise Sparks Debate and Reflection in China
Confucius: The Sage Who Shaped Chinese Civilization
The Confucian School: A Pillar of Ancient Chinese Philosophy in the Era of a Hundred Schools of Thought
The Hundred Schools of Thought: A Fascinating Journey Through Ancient Chinese Philosophy
The Beginning of Autumn: Liqiu, a Seasonal Turning Point in the Chinese Lunar Calendar
The Tao Te Ching – Chapter 27
The Shocking Revelation: A Chinese Female Ph.D. Student’s Fight Against Sexual Harassment
Foxconn Invests $1 Billion in Zhengzhou, Boosting China’s Tech Industry
How Chinese Netizens React to Microsoft Blue Screen Incident
The Whirlwind of Wahaha: Zong Fuli’s Resignation and the Future of a Chinese Beverage Giant
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China’s 985 Project: A Glimpse into the Nation’s Top Universities
The Curious Case of the Forgotten VIP Passengers: A Comical Tale of Airport Misadventures
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Jiang Ping’s Rise Sparks Debate and Reflection in China
The Rise of a Math Prodigy: Jiang Ping’s Controversial Journey from Vocational School to Global Math Competition
the Felicity Hughes Case Sparks Online Frenzy in China
Huawei’s Future in the Automotive Industry After Selling “AITO” Brand to Seres
Five must visit tourist attractions in Hangzhou: low-key content, have you experienced it?
China’s “Singer 2024” Is Sparking a Revolution in the Music Industry
China’s Automotive Industry: Navigating the “Juàn” Phenomenon
The 102-Year-Old Yao Healer: A Beacon of Hope in China’s Remote Mountains
The Ice Cups in China: A New Summer Trend or a Fleeting Fad?
The Harsh Reality JD.com’s Mass Layoffs: Employees Speak Out
Chinese Consumers Accuse Luxury Brand LV of Discriminatory After-Sales Policies
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BYD’s 5th Generation DM Technology: A Chinese Perspective on the Future of the Automotive Industry
China’s Low-Altitude Economy Soars to New Heights: A Glimpse into the Future of Aviation
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Shanghai’s Top Universities in 2024
I find the concept of the soft overcoming the hard to be particularly relevant in the context of interpersonal relationships. So often, we try to force or control others through aggression or manipulation, when a gentler and more compassionate approach might be more effective.
The paradoxical nature of the Tao is both frustrating and fascinating to me. Just when I think I have grasped one of its teachings, I am confronted with a seemingly contradictory idea that challenges my understanding.
I find the language of the Tao Te Ching to be incredibly poetic and evocative, even in translation. There is a beauty and elegance to the way these ideas are expressed that speaks to the depth and richness of Chinese literary tradition.
I’m curious to explore the relationship between the teachings of the Tao Te Ching and the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. How might an understanding of the Tao inform our approach to health and healing?
The idea that fish cannot leave deep waters suggests that there are certain limitations and constraints that we must accept and work within, rather than trying to overcome or transcend them. It’s a humbling reminder of our own finitude and the importance of finding contentment within our given circumstances.
The call to embrace paradox and work with the natural flow of things is a challenging one, especially in a culture that often values control and predictability. It requires a willingness to let go of our usual ways of thinking and being, and to trust in the inherent wisdom of the universe.
I wonder how the teachings of the Tao Te Ching might be applied in the context of education and learning. How can we create educational environments that encourage curiosity, creativity, and a deep understanding of the way things are, rather than just the accumulation of facts and skills?
Стильные заметки по выбору необычных образов на любой день.
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https://ekbtoday.ru/news/2024-09-10-demna-gvasaliya-pereosmyslyaya-modu/
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https://emurmansk.ru/pub/2024-09-10-demna-gvasaliya-revolyutsioner-mody-i-kreativnyy-provokator/
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