Building upon many years of privately shared thoughts on the real benefits of Stoic Philosophy, Liam Milburn eventually published a selection of Stoic passages that had helped him to live well. They were accompanied by some of his own personal reflections. This blog hopes to continue his mission of encouraging the wisdom of Stoicism in the exercise of everyday life. All the reflections are taken from his notes, from late 1992 to early 2017.
The Death of Marcus Aurelius
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Tao Te Ching 10
When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating.
When one gives undivided attention to the vital breath, and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can become as a tender babe.
When he has cleansed away the most mysterious sights of his imagination, he can become without a flaw.
In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed without any purpose of action?
In the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven, cannot he do so as a female bird?
While his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he appear to be without knowledge?
The Tao produces all things and nourishes them; it produces them and does not claim them as its own. It does all, and yet does not boast of it; it presides over all, and yet does not control them.
This is what is called the mysterious Quality of the Tao.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment