Lao Laizi, a Chu Taoist hermit, lived simply farming on Meng Mountain. When the king offered him state governance, his wife refused officialdom’s chains, so they fled south. He penned Taoist works and won deep respect from Confucius.
Gengsang Chu, Laozi’s Taoist disciple, brought bumper harvests to Weilui Mountain via wuwei. Villagers wished to worship him as a local deity, yet he refused, believing true sages live in seclusion and let natural Heaven’s Way govern all.
Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio: The Snake Charmer (The Snakeman) recounts the story of a snake tamer from East Prefecture and his bond with two green snakes — Big Green (Elder Green) and Second Green.
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.
Chapter 53 from Dao De Jing – Tao Te Ching critiques humanity’s tendency to abandon the Great Dao in pursuit of greed, hypocrisy, and shortcuts. It offers timeless warnings and guidance for both individuals and societies.
The sage has no invariable mind of his own; he makes the mind of the people his mind.To those who are good (to me), I am good; and to those who are not good (to me), I am also good; – and thus (all) get to be good. To those who are sincere (with…