SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 79

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    Ana

    When a reconciliation is effected (between two parties) after a great animosity, there is sure to be a grudge remaining (in the mind of the one who was wrong). And how can this be beneficial (to the other)?Therefore (to guard against this), the sage keeps the left-hand portion of the record of the engagement,…

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 78

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    Ana

    Laozi uses water as a metaphor for the Dao for their shared characteristics. Water has no fixed shape, conforming to its container. This mirrors the Dao’s formless nature.

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 77

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    Ana

    This chapter uses the metaphor of ‌”drawing a bow”‌ to reveal the dynamic equilibrium of natural law, critique humanity’s exploitative logic of ‌”reducing deficiency to replenish excess,”‌ and propose the sage’s wisdom and principle.

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 76

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    Ana

    Man at his birth is supple and weak; at his death, firm and strong. (So it is with) all things. Trees and plants, in their early growth, are soft and brittle; at their death, dry and withered.Thus it is that firmness and strength are the concomitants of death; softness and weakness, the concomitants of…

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 75

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    Ana

    The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.The people are difficult to govern because of the (excessive) agency of their superiors (in governing them). It is through this that they are difficult to govern.The people make light of dying…

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 74

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    Ana

    The people do not fear death; to what purpose is it to (try to) frighten them with death? If the people were always in awe of death, and I could always seize those who do wrong, and put them to death, who would dare to do wrong?There is always One who presides over the…