ExclusiveLaozi（Lao Tzu) and the Idioms in "Dao De Jing" (Tao Te Ching)

Hello everyone, I'm Sarah. Today we'll talk about Laozi and Tao Te Ching, Laozi and Confucius, Confucianism and Taoism, and some idioms from Tao Te Ching. Regarding Laozi and his Tao Te Ching, Records of the Grand Historian has a brief account. It states that Laozi was a native of the Chu state, born in Li village, Ku county, and his surname was Li, given name Er, courtesy name Dan. He once worked as an archivist in the Zhou dynasty. Later, seeing the decline of the Zhou dynasty, he resigned and went into seclusion. On his way through Heng'e Pass, he met Ying Shi. At Ying Shi's request, Laozi wrote two pieces of about 5,000 characters on morality, His two works gradually spread. Recent archaeological discoveries confirm the accuracy of this account. In 1993, three versions of Laozi were unearthed from a Chu tomb in Guadian. The Laozi from Set A is the earliest known manuscript, possibly dating back to around 400 BCE, about 80 years after Laozi's seclusion. Additionally, the silk manuscript Laozi from the Mawangdui Han tomb and the bamboo slip Laozi gifted to Peking University in 2009 also contain the two parts, Te Ching first and Tao Ching second. The current version of Tao Te Ching is a combination of these two books. Bohong's Biographies of Immortals from the Eastern Jin Dynasty expands on the records of the Grand Historian. According to it, Laozi was believed to have appeared in different periods, such as Fu Xi's era as Yu Hua Zi, during the Yellow Emperor's time as Guang Chun Zi, and in Yao's time as Wu Chun Zi. Many chapters in the Yellow Emperor's inner canon record the Yellow Emperor seeking advice from Guang Chun Zi. Bohong believed Laozi's western journey was to the sacred Kunlun Mountain of the Queen Mother of the West. Guan Yin Zi predicted a divine person would pass by and prepared the path for 40 miles to welcome him. Laozi knew Guan Yin Zi's fate was to attain Tao, so he passed on Tao Te Ching to him. The book also mentions Laozi's attendant, Su Jia, who served him for over 200 years, claiming Laozi owed him a vast amount of money. Laozi responded, Laozi instructed Su Jia to open his mouth towards the ground, and the talisman Laozi gave him to extend his life fell from his mouth to the ground. And Su Jia instantly turned into a pile of bones. Witnessing this, Guan Yin Zi pleaded on Su Jia's behalf. Laozi then threw the talisman back to Su Jia, and Su Jia was revived immediately. Modern scholars often compare Laozi, Zhuangzi, Confucius, and Mencius, studying ancient Chinese philosophy. They liken Confucius to a young man with high ambitions and Laozi to an elder who has seen it all, similar to Western classical and romantic philosophies. However, Laozi taught the method of achieving Tao, leaving Tao Te Ching as a guide to life's ultimate goal, while Confucius taught principles of living, summarized as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith. Ultimately, Confucius also attained Tao, demonstrating the journey from humanity to Tao. Zhuangzi and Mencius, as later figures, built on Laozi and Confucius, expressing their insights from different angles, but always aligning with Taoism. Zhuangzi stated, Confucians roam within societal norms, while Taoists roam beyond them, highlighting the difference between Confucianism's focus on social responsibility and Taoism's emphasis on personal cultivation, natural alignment, and returning to one's true self. Confucius once asked Laozi about the rites of Zhou. Laozi replied, Those you speak of are dead, only their words remain. A nobleman acts when his time comes, otherwise, he wanders humbly. I've heard the best merchants hide their wealth, and a virtuous nobleman appears simple. Abandon your pride, desires, pretenses, and ambitions, they are of no benefit to you. That's all I can tell you. Later, when Confucius visited Laozi again, talking about benevolence and righteousness, Laozi said, Heaven, earth, sun, moon, and stars follow natural laws. You should follow nature's rules, striving for benevolence and righteousness is like beating a drum to find a runaway, it only drives them further. Study Nature's Changes After returning, Confucius studied Dai Ching. At 51, still not understanding Tao, Confucius asked Laozi again. Laozi said, Tao cannot be shown, given, explained, or passed on. When you understand Tao, it resides in your heart, when your actions align with Tao, it manifests in you. Confucius, understanding, secluded himself for three months to comprehend Tao. Finally, realizing it, he expressed joy and relief in understanding natural harmony. Laozi, pleased, acknowledged Confucius's attainment of Tao, who then shared his enlightenment with his disciples. Next, let's talk about some idioms from the Tao Te Ching. Best Virtue Is Like Water Tao Te Ching Chapter 8 The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without competing. It stays in places others disdain, thus it's close to Tao. The highest virtue is like water, nurturing without competing, settling in low places others avoid, close to Tao. The best people are humble and accommodating, embracing everyone. Gold and Jade Fill the Hall Tao Te Ching Chapter 9 Gold and jade fill the hall, no one can protect them, wealth and pride lead to blame. Wealth can't be kept, pride brings misfortune. Advise is pursuing Tao and virtue, not wealth, as riches are fleeting and arrogance invites disaster. Achieve success, then withdraw. Tao Te Ching Chapter 9 Achieve success, then withdraw, this is heaven's way. After achieving great success, one should retire from public life. Many historical figures met their demise after their peak. Han Shin, for example. One should retire to end well like Zhongliang, Fanli, and Sun Wu, etc. The Tao Follows Nature Tao Te Ching Chapter 25 Man follows earth, earth follows heaven, heaven follows Tao, Tao follows nature. Meaning, humans, earth, and heaven follow natural laws, harmonizing with Tao, the ultimate source. Knowing Others and Oneself Tao Te Ching Chapter 33 Knowing others is wisdom, knowing oneself is enlightenment. Conquering others takes strength, conquering oneself requires true power. Meaning, understanding one's weaknesses makes a person better, overcoming oneself is the greatest strength. Great vessels take time to complete. Tao Te Ching Chapter 41 The greatest square has no corners, the greatest vessel takes long to complete, the greatest sound is barely heard, the greatest image has no form. Meaning, the highest states are subtle and profound, beyond obvious form. Great skill appears clumsy. Tao Te Ching Chapter 45 Great straightness looks crooked, great skill looks clumsy, great eloquence looks like stammering. Meaning, truly skilled people appear humble and unassuming. Misfortune and fortune depend on each other. Tao Te Ching Chapter 58 Misfortune relies on fortune, fortune conceals misfortune. Meaning, success and failure are interdependent, advising resilience and optimism. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Tao Te Ching Chapter 64 A tree as big as a man's embrace grows from a tiny shoot, a nine-story tower begins with a pile of earth, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Meaning, success is built gradually, through persistence. Alright, I hope you find some life inspiration from these idioms. That's it for today. See you next time.