Lao Tzu

The snow goose needs no daily bath to stay white. The crow needs no daily ink to stay black . . .”

Over the centuries, many a Chinese scholar-official would return from his government yamen or official workplace to the seclusion of his private studio or zhai, where he would quietly practice a sort of “weekend Taoism,” writing occasional verse, indulging his love of painting and calligraphy, playing a game of Go, plucking the strings of his qin, and enjoying the other pastimes of the leisured man of letters, all of which had as their goal the fusion of the individual with the Tao of the cosmos.

Just as one should never keep on filling a vase, or sharpening a blade, so one should never try to hold on to worldly treasures, or boast of Wealth and Rank. The Tao Lets Go, lets things follow their natural course, lets things unfold. Once something is Accomplished, the inevitable Cycle begins again

Just as one should never keep on filling a vase, or sharpening a blade, so one should never try to hold on to worldly treasures, or boast of Wealth and Rank. The Tao Lets Go, lets things follow their natural course, lets things unfold. Once something is Accomplished, the inevitable Cycle begins again.

The Tao Begets and Nurtures,

The Tao gives Birth

But never Possesses.

The Taoist Acts

Without Attachment,

Leads but never takes charge.

This is Mystic Power.

Nourish Spirit,

Embrace the One.

Can you keep it

Ever present?

Can you Concentrate

Breath-Energy

To utmost Softness,

Can you be an Infant?

Can you cleanse

The Mystic Vision,

Till it is without spot?

Can you Cherish the folk,

Can you Rule the Nation

Through Non-Action?

Can you open and close

The Gates of Heaven-and-Nature,

And be Woman?

Can you view the Four Quarters

With Utmost Clarity,

With No-Knowledge

All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is;

When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself.

Who can secure the condition of rest? Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise.