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Filosofía de vida!
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The Daodejing of Laozi
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Philip J. Ivanhoe's richly annotated translation of this classic work is accompanied by his engaging interpretation and commentary, a lucid introduction, and a Language Appendix that compares eight classic translations of the opening passage of the work and invites the reader to consider the principles upon which each was rendered.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1,-0350
This edition
- Format
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160 pages, Paperback
- Published
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August 1, 2003 by Hackett Publishing
- ISBN
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9780872207011
- ASIN
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0872207013
- Language
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English
About the author
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Lao Tzu (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade-Giles: Laosi; also Laozi, Lao Tse, Lao Tu, Lao-Tsu, Laotze, Laosi, Lao Zi, Laocius, Lao Ce, and other variations) was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching (often simply referred to as Laozi). His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (pronounced as "Daoism"). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of the Taoist religion, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or "One of the Three Pure Ones". Laozi translated literally from Chinese means "old master" or "old one", and is generally considered honorific.
According to Chinese tradition, Laozi lived in the 6th century BCE. Historians variously contend that Laozi is a synthesis of multiple historical figures, that he is a mythical figure, or that he actually lived in the 5th-4th century BCE, concurrent with the Hundred Schools of Thought and Warring States Period. As a result of being a a central figure in Chinese culture, both nobility and common people claim Lao Tzu in their lineage.
According to Chinese tradition, Laozi lived in the 6th century BCE. Historians variously contend that Laozi is a synthesis of multiple historical figures, that he is a mythical figure, or that he actually lived in the 5th-4th century BCE, concurrent with the Hundred Schools of Thought and Warring States Period. As a result of being a a central figure in Chinese culture, both nobility and common people claim Lao Tzu in their lineage.
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Đọc lần thứ hai sau khi đã đọc " Lão Tử tinh hoa " của Nguyễn Duy Cần thì thấy không thích bằng lần đọc đầu tiên. Nhân sinh quan của NDC là Lão Trang còn nhân sinh quan của Nguyễn Hiến Lê là Khổng giáo. Viết về học thuyết của Lão Tử, NDC dùng cảm nhận, trực giác, sự đồng cảm; còn NHL cố gắng dùng lý trí và suy luận. Có lẽ vì vậy mà đọc sách của NDC cảm thấy có phần thích thú hơn. Tuy nhiên NHL lại khách quan và công bằng hơn NDC. Ngoài phần nhận xét cuối sách rằng " Khổng và Lão tuy hai mà một, đối nghịch mà bổ sung cho nhau, Khổng học là con sâu mà Lão học là con bướm..." ra thì trong sách khá nhiều lần NDC nêu ra những ý kiến có phần chê bai Khổng Tử. NHL ở phần kết sách có viết đại ý rằng: dùng đầu óc lý trí, suy luận để chê bai Lão học là điều rất dễ và rất nhiều người đã làm, nhưng liệu như vậy có thực sự là hiểu Lão Tử hay không khi ông nhiều lần nói rằng Đạo chỉ có thể cảm nhận bằng trực giác, " đồng thanh tương ứng, đồng khí tương cầu " chứ không thể truyền dạy được, không thể hiểu được bằng lời nói hay lý luận, và đọc sách cốt là chỉ để nắm lấy ý thôi, đừng có phân tích, bẻ từng chữ từng lời. " Có lời là vì ý, được ý hãy quên lời ".
" Biết thì không nói, nói là không biết" - Lão Tử
" Trời có nói gì đâu ? Bốn mùa qua lại, vạn vật sinh trưởng. Trời có nói gì đâu ? " - Khổng Tử
" Biết thì không nói, nói là không biết" - Lão Tử
" Trời có nói gì đâu ? Bốn mùa qua lại, vạn vật sinh trưởng. Trời có nói gì đâu ? " - Khổng Tử
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To be fair, I was looking for a book on zen koans, but having stumbled upon a version of Tao Te Ching by Ursula K. Le Guin I just couldn't resist. It's a charming interpretation and commentary of the great classical text; probably as good as any other version of the work which is both obscure and sharp, highly theoretical and so obviously pragmatic. It's a good place to start if you're new to taoism, but might be even more appreciated by those who already have some dust of the Way on their soles: besides being incredibly poetic, the book also references and gives examples of other translations and tips for future reading.
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n
كتاب بديع.
"Knowing others is intelligence;n
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power."
كتاب بديع.
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The Tao Te Ching is a book that cannot be read directly. Unfortunately, I have little experience reading books indirectly, so I found this a difficult book to read, end even more difficult to discern what was being said by the author.
A friend told me that he thought Heraclitus, the Greek pre-Socratic philosopher, was somewhat like Lao Tzu. Heraclitus said "you can't step in the same river twice". He believed that reality was a flux composed of a unity of opposites. I suppose it is possible to consider Lao Tzu's "the way" in this manner and see it as a unifying force. I liken it to the ancient Greek notion of substance that underlies all things but does not have a separate existence.
The Tao te Ching seems to suggest action is good, except when inaction is required; that it is good to experience things with an open mind, but do not become too attached to one way of looking at reality for it may suddenly be going in the other direction. In other words, it is difficult to determine exactly what this book is saying, especially when it suggests that words cannot describe the way; thus the way is not that which is called by that name (don't worry - I don't know what that means either).
The best thing about the Tao te Ching is that the act of reading it stirs your mind, gets you thinking about deep questions and others. That alone makes it worth the effort, even though it may take a lifetime to make some progress toward answers.
Perhaps it is appropriate to turn to a twentieth century poet and thinker for some Tao-like advice. Here is a stanza from "Burnt Norton"
At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless;
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity,
Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,
There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.
I can only say, there we have been: but I cannot say where.
And I cannot say, how long, for that is to place it in time.
T. S. Eliot, FOUR QUARTETS
A friend told me that he thought Heraclitus, the Greek pre-Socratic philosopher, was somewhat like Lao Tzu. Heraclitus said "you can't step in the same river twice". He believed that reality was a flux composed of a unity of opposites. I suppose it is possible to consider Lao Tzu's "the way" in this manner and see it as a unifying force. I liken it to the ancient Greek notion of substance that underlies all things but does not have a separate existence.
The Tao te Ching seems to suggest action is good, except when inaction is required; that it is good to experience things with an open mind, but do not become too attached to one way of looking at reality for it may suddenly be going in the other direction. In other words, it is difficult to determine exactly what this book is saying, especially when it suggests that words cannot describe the way; thus the way is not that which is called by that name (don't worry - I don't know what that means either).
The best thing about the Tao te Ching is that the act of reading it stirs your mind, gets you thinking about deep questions and others. That alone makes it worth the effort, even though it may take a lifetime to make some progress toward answers.
Perhaps it is appropriate to turn to a twentieth century poet and thinker for some Tao-like advice. Here is a stanza from "Burnt Norton"
At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless;
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity,
Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,
There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.
I can only say, there we have been: but I cannot say where.
And I cannot say, how long, for that is to place it in time.
T. S. Eliot, FOUR QUARTETS
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A fascinating piece of Chinese Religious Scripture. Thank you for this Lao-tzu! Whether his writings are in fact Divine Revelation or not has no sway over how beautiful and enlightening they are. Here are some of my fave verses:
“Misery!— happiness is to be found by its side! Happiness!— misery lurks beneath it! Who knows what either will come to in the end?”
“There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven and Earth. How still it was and formless, standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in no danger (of being exhausted)! It may be regarded as the Mother of all things.”
“Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.”
“Misery!— happiness is to be found by its side! Happiness!— misery lurks beneath it! Who knows what either will come to in the end?”
“There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven and Earth. How still it was and formless, standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in no danger (of being exhausted)! It may be regarded as the Mother of all things.”
“Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.”
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“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”
I’ve had this book for years and only now found the inkling to have a look. It is very slim and can be read quickly, although as all poetry, it takes time to properly ingest...
Lao Tzu seems to like 'twisting' words from noun to verb and vice versa. In that fashion, I was reminded of one of my favourite poems from Emily Dickinson (Much Madness is divinest Sense - 620) and William Blake. These are however quite different and not just because they date back to the dawn of ages. Mind blowing really when you consider this.
Some of the poems spoke to me more than others, some I agreed with, some I didn’t, but I can definitely see myself re-reading this volume every few years to see if my perception changes.
I’ve had this book for years and only now found the inkling to have a look. It is very slim and can be read quickly, although as all poetry, it takes time to properly ingest...
Lao Tzu seems to like 'twisting' words from noun to verb and vice versa. In that fashion, I was reminded of one of my favourite poems from Emily Dickinson (Much Madness is divinest Sense - 620) and William Blake. These are however quite different and not just because they date back to the dawn of ages. Mind blowing really when you consider this.
Some of the poems spoke to me more than others, some I agreed with, some I didn’t, but I can definitely see myself re-reading this volume every few years to see if my perception changes.
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Profound, Reflection-provoking piece of ancient text, studded with natural imagery and lyricism. The message has lots of similarities with the Gita. Some parts were obscure and contradicting though, so planning to read a guidance text soon.
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