what:
This chapter is one of the most colorful chapters in the Tao Te Ching. "Laozi" proposed using the image of water as a metaphor for what is Tao, the highest wisdom and morality. Just like water.
For the APEC meeting held in my country in 2014, newspapers at the time advertised eight characters: "The best kindness is like water, and harmony is the most economical." The two main venues, one Yanxi Lake and one Water Cube, both contain water, especially The Water Cube uses the image of water to allow visiting leaders from various countries to experience China's principles and methods of doing things. ?
Why:
Why is water used to describe it?
Where does the water go? It’s a dirty place that no one wants to go to. Why is the water there? Do good. Wash away the filth in that place and nourish all things in that place.
Many plants in nature can bloom and bear fruit, but water cannot bloom and bear fruit. However, without water, this living thing is not established and cannot survive.
The implication is that in the eyes of us Chinese, the highest wisdom and morality are like water. Our Chinese nation is a gentle and peace-loving nation, good at achieving others, and at the same time achieving ourselves!
2020-5-10 Today’s heavy rain in Shenzhen has removed the heat and washed away the earth. The roads in Shenzhen are refreshing and clean, and the grass on the roadside is well protected and can grow tenaciously.
HOW:
?Here "Laozi" uses seven parallels like poetry, using water to draw out the principles of life
"Living in a good place": "To accept the country's dirt is to be called the Lord of the country; to accept the country's misfortune is to be called the King of the country." It can be summed up in four words - serving the people.
"The heart is kind to the abyss": The human heart should be like deep water, still water runs deep, with a broad vision, a broad mind, and a pattern.
"Be kind and benevolent": When helping others, you must pay attention to your own attitude. For example, Tao Yuanming asked his servants to take care of his children and teach them calligraphy: "This is also the son of man, and I also treat him well." It means that this is his son too, so don't be arrogant and treat him well.
"Speak with integrity": Speak with "faith" like the tide. Chapter 63 says: "A light promise will lead to a lack of faith." Don't make a promise easily. Once you say it, you must keep it. Be an honest and reliable person.
"Right and good governance": upright and pure as water, governing the country according to law. "Qing", "Dharma", and "Government" are all beside water.
"Do good and be able to do things well": To do things for people, we must have a variety of abilities like water, so that we can build a broader life. The platform must also have a specific direction in order to run towards the sea.
"The right time to move": Wisdom in dealing with things is like water. It knows how to look for opportunities. When it is time to move, it moves, when it needs to be quiet, it is quiet. For example: rain. In spring, when the seeds have just sprouted, wouldn't it be troublesome if it rained heavily? However, the spring rain "sneaks into the night with the wind, moistening everything silently", and the spring breeze turns into rain, isn't it the magic of nature's timing.
Summary:
Therefore, like water, it has the character of good and benefit, and there is no sorrow or worry.
(Not a correct answer, but a fun article)
Scan the QR code to follow, reply to "Tao Te Ching", and get my own compilation
Wang Bi's "Tao Te Ching" None Annotate and read the original text.
Discuss the Tao, discuss the Tao, whether it is the Tao or not
Friends who are interested in the "Tao Te Ching" are also welcome to link and read together ***