The Tao Te Ching

The Tao Te Ching

Ngon Tran

John fielding

English 1A

25 August 2013

The Way

The Tao te Ching is a Chinese classic text. It was written in sixth century BC, by Laozi. The author was a philosopher of the very old china. The author has written the text with the short poems, natural imagery, and a gentle tone. Laozi has wanted to focus the principle of “Tao” with doing and undoing idea. The text teaches that people should live in a balanced life as well as a simple mind. The bad things such as war, sin, criminal, iniquitous are increase in every persons, every nations. That is why morality along with consciousness should be the most important things to focus on. We will analyze the author’s principle over simplicity, material item and goodness.
First, Laozi wrote the Tao te Ching to teach any individual to become a great master for their life. He conducts people to govern their ability, their soul. The most important is the concept of Laozi’s three treasures, which are: simplicity, patience, compassion “I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion” ( Chapter 67). The author states that power, possession, and ambition are hard to keep and maintain. The true and easy way to live is with tolerance, humility, and peace. For example, when I do something bad, I tend to be upset in my mind. Sometimes I do feel really bad. Then I figure out that, to prevent the bad feeling, all I need to do is try to do not do the bad thing in the first place.
Second, Laozi shows that material items are not truly valuable. Instead of chasing for material items, we should focus to bring good things to other. He shared the ideas from many vague situations through his experience. “Tao” is the universal way that will bring happiness and success to people who listen and learn its way. People should fill themselves with patience and empathy. The author said “When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things...

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