Lao-Tzu: Anarchist?

August 30, 2007

I have a copy of the Tao Te Ching, which I bought years ago, probably after my intro to Philosophy class in high-school. It’s been some time since I read any of it, until today.

If you want to be a great leader,
you must learn to follow the Tao.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts,
and the world will govern itself.

How do I know this is so?
Because in this world,
the greater the restrictions and prohibitions,
the more people are impoverished;
the more advanced the weapons of state,
the darker the nation;
the more artful and crafty the plan,
the stranger the outcome;
the more laws are posted,
the more thieves appear.

Therefore the sage says:
I take no action and people are reformed.
I enjoy peace and people become honest.
I do nothing and people become rich.
If I keep from imposing on people,
They become themselves.

I encourage you to check out Wally Conger’s blog, which I found this evening.


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