“To know you have enough is to be rich”
- Lao Tzu -
So true, isn't it?
2006-09-25 11:14:43 · 26 answers · asked by Shinkirou Hasukage 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What it means to be poor ( one of my favourites )
One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked. "Oh Yeah" said the son. "So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are."
Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one person's worthless object is another's prize possession. It is all based on one's perspective. Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for all the bounty we have, instead of worrying about wanting more.
2006-09-25 11:23:26 · answer #1 · answered by Peace 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, yes and no. Maybe when it was written, it was true. Maybe anywhere else but in the United States of America, it could be true, but not here, and not now. Now, to know you have enough is not good enough if he has more than you do. If only that was true, think of how little corruption, how little greed there would be. This is an excellent quote, and I thank you for posting it. I enjoyed reading it.
2006-09-25 18:19:03 · answer #2 · answered by loser 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel that this quote is not true at all.
I know many rich persons who feel like they don't have enough. They are rich though. Not poor at all.
And I am sure that Tzu could meet such rich persons who feel like they won't ever have enough.
I thought that Lao Tzu was more broad-minded. I was wrong.
2006-09-25 18:28:47 · answer #3 · answered by Axel ∇ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not having what you want, its wanting what you've got
true riches indeed
America is consumer driven based on wants not needs...we really have few needs but addicted to wants
when you get used to a simple life, you have what you need, and are satisfied, and there is no price or dollar sign to equivalate the happiness or balance that comes with this...
knowing we have enough is key, not what you think you have or want to have
2006-09-25 18:19:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely
2006-09-25 18:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I disagree. To know that having nothing is more than enough is true wealth. And I came up with that quote on the spot.
2006-09-25 18:16:28 · answer #6 · answered by Tofu Jesus 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Absolutely. Contentment!!!!!
2006-09-25 18:18:23 · answer #7 · answered by Hebrews 11 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I feel that way right now, but I don't always feel so. One day I am content, and another day I will want more.
2006-09-25 18:23:46 · answer #8 · answered by Brigid O' Somebody 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
True. Each moment is complete in itself.
2006-09-25 21:15:56 · answer #9 · answered by On The Path 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes
man is greedy if he has say 20 millions he will try hard to make them more , but if a man is satisfied wz his life he will be happy .
good luck
2006-09-25 18:17:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋