• Dao De Jing – Chapter 20

    This chapter from Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) contrasts the attitude of the Daoist Sage with that of ordinary people, using paradoxes to reveal the essence of the Dao.

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 19

    If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no…

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 18

    When the Great Dao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared.

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 17

    Chapter 17 of the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) establishes a hierarchy of governance where political excellence is measured by its operational invisibility‌.

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 16

    Chapter 16 of the Dao De Jing synthesizes two pillars of spiritual practice: the cultivation of stability and the cultivation of wisdom‌.

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 15

    The skilful masters (of the Dao) in old times, with a subtle and exquisite penetration, comprehended its mysteries, and were deep (also) so as to elude men’s knowledge. As they were thus beyond men’s knowledge, I will make an effort to describe of what sort they appeared to be. Shrinking looked they like those…