Tao Te Ching

Tao Te Ching by 

Sage Lao Tzu (6th B.C.)

"The tao that can be told

is not the eternal Tao."

My friends and I would always quote this line and laugh about it, as we did not understand it. This book was a reading material for a leadership module when I was an undergraduate. After many years, pick up the book again and I start to appreciate it better. I still could not comprehend it fully and there are snippets of wisdom which make a lot of sense.

"Empty your mind of all thoughts.

Let your heart be at peace.

Watch the turmoil of beings,

but contemplate their return."

"A good traveler has no fixed plans

and is not intent upon arriving.

A good artist lets his intuition

lead him wherever it wants.

A good scientist has freed himself of concepts

and keeps his mind open to what is."

"He (the Master) understands that the universe

is forever out of control,

and that trying to dominate events

goes against the current of the Tao.

Because he believes in himself,

he doesn't try to convince others.

Because he is content with himself,

he doesn't need others' approval.

Because he accepts himself,

the whole world accepts him."

"Knowing others is intelligence;

knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength;

mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,

you are truly rich.

If you stay in the center

and embrace death with your world heart,

you will endure forever."

"The Master does nothing,

yet he leaves nothing undone.

The ordinary man is always doing things,

yet many more are left to be done."

"Fame or integrity: which is more important?

Money or happiness: which is more valuable?

Success or failure: which is more destructive?

If you look to others for fulfillment, 

you will never truly be fulfilled.

If your happiness depends on money,

you will never be happy with yourself.

Be content with what you have;

rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking, 

the world world belongs to you."

"All streams flow to the sea

because it is lower than they are.

Humility gives it its power."

"I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience, compassion.

These three are your greatest treasures.

Simple in actions and in thoughts,

you return to the source of being.

Patience with both friends and enemies,

you accord with the way things are.

Compassionate toward yourself,

you reconcile all beings in the world."

"If you realize that all things change,

there is nothing you will try to hold on to.

If you aren't afraid of dying,

there is nothing you can't achieve."

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The Wisdom from 2600 years ago is still so relevant and insightful.

Hope you learn something out of it.

=)