SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Tag: humility

  • Wukong – the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven

    ‌In Journey to the West, the names and titles of the characters often carry specific symbolic meanings.‌

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 69

    Chapter 69 employs military metaphors to unveil the Daoist philosophy of ‘retreating to advance’ and ‘softness overcoming hardness’. Lao Tzu first references ancient military wisdom: ‘I dare not take the initiative but prefer to respond; I dare not advance an inch but prefer to withdraw a foot’. This emphasizes avoiding provocation, resisting rash aggression, and instead retreating strategically to observe the situation, gather strength, and act with hidden intent. Actions remain concealed, leaving no trace for the enemy to follow—appearing as non-action, yet embodying the stratagem of ‘formlessness conquering form’ .

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 67

    The Dao, due to its all-encompassing and formless nature, cannot be grasped through the perception of concrete forms. We learn to cultivate the Dao by emulating the sages. The sages’ treasures for realizing the Dao are ‌compassion‌, ‌frugality‌, and ‌humility‌ (‘daring not to put oneself ahead of the world’).

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 66

    Chapter 66 explores the paradox of leadership through the metaphor of rivers and oceans, emphasizing humility, selflessness, and the power of “remaining below”. Lao Tzu argues that true authority arises not from dominance or self-promotion but from serving others and embracing a lowly position. This chapter crystallizes the Taoist ideal of leading through non-contention and aligning with the natural flow of the Tao.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 64

    Chapter 64 emphasizes preventive action, alignment with natural cycles, and the wisdom of addressing problems before they arise.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 62

    This chapter centers on the Dao as the origin of all things and a universal law, emphasizing its all-encompassing inclusivity and redemptive power transcending moral binaries. Both the virtuous (those aligned with the Dao) and the non-virtuous (those yet to awaken to it) can benefit from the Tao’s grace. Laozi rejects using moral standards to exclude others, advocating instead for transforming the unawakened through gracious words and noble deeds. This reflects the Tao’s boundless compassion and salvific function. By embodying the Tao, one achieves self-cultivation and avoids grave missteps.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 61

    Chapter 61 centers on the principle that “the greater must dwell below.”‌ Through metaphors such as “a great nation, like a river or sea, positions itself humbly downstream” and “the feminine and yielding overcomes the masculine and forceful,” Laozi articulates a diplomatic philosophy rooted in humility and inclusivity. He argues that powerful nations should engage with smaller states through gentleness and modesty, resolving conflicts and building trust by “assuming a lower position.”

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 55

    Chapter 55 teaches that true power arises from simplicity, naturalness, and harmony. It critiques humanity’s obsession with control and growth, urging a return to the infant’s wisdom: Live softly, trust innate rhythms, and let go of artificial striving.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 45

    Chapter 45 of the Dao De Jing reveals the philosophical essence of “ultimate simplicity in the Dao” through a dialectical lens. By exploring the unity of opposites between appearance and essence, it emphasizes “tranquility and non-action” as the fundamental principle for self-cultivation and governance.

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