Tao is source of the ten thousand things.
It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.
Sweet words can buy honor;
Good deeds can gain respect.
If a man is bad, do not abandon him.
Therefore on the day the emperor is crowned,
Or the three officers of state installed,
Do not send a gift of jade and a team of four horses,
But remain still and offer the Tao.
Why does everyone like the Tao so much at first?
Isn't it because you find what you seek and are forgiven when you sin?
Therefore this is the greatest treasure of the universe.
-Tao Te Ching
2007-03-03 13:11:15 · 4 answers · asked by belle18 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Tao is source of the ten thousand things.
= Everything you need to know is in the Tao.
It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.
= Everyone can benefit from it.
Sweet words can buy honor;
Good deeds can gain respect.
= honour and respect are important, to gain them speak kindly and do good deeds.
If a man is bad, do not abandon him.
= don't give up on anyone.
Therefore on the day the emperor is crowned,
Or the three officers of state installed,
Do not send a gift of jade and a team of four horses,
But remain still and offer the Tao.
=When the end is near (your life? The world?) don't try to buy yourself redemption - instead, do not fear. The Tao gives us peace.
Why does everyone like the Tao so much at first?
Isn't it because you find what you seek and are forgiven when you sin?
Therefore this is the greatest treasure of the universe.
= Everything you need to know to bring you peace can be learned from the Tao. Even if you only read one small passage, it will benefit you.
2007-03-03 13:28:18 · answer #1 · answered by joyfulpaints 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like the other has said, it is instruction. Basically is means to not forgo spirituality in social relations for selfish materialism. It is rather Christian in some ways. Trying to buy favor with jade, horses or other material goods shall get you into trouble.
"Tao is source of the ten thousand things.
It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.
Sweet words can buy honor;
Good deeds can gain respect.
If a man is bad, do not abandon him.
Therefore on the day the emperor is crowned,
Or the three officers of state installed,
Do not send a gift of jade and a team of four horses,
But remain still and offer the Tao.
Why does everyone like the Tao so much at first?
Isn't it because you find what you seek and are forgiven when you sin?
Therefore this is the greatest treasure of the universe. "
The Will is positive , the Judgment is negative.
2007-03-03 14:00:28 · answer #2 · answered by Psyengine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Tao Te Ching is very deep and people have spent careers and lifetimes analyzing it. One could easily write pages talking about the meaning of the part of it you quoted above. It is too complicated a matter for Yahoo Answers. There is no short answer. You need to do some research on Tao Te Ching at the library or online.
2007-03-03 13:22:00 · answer #3 · answered by Larry 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tsk tsk. Perhaps you should have read the book the 'Tao of Pooh', then you would not have asked the question. Pooh simplifies all lifes most asked question. All lifes answeres can be found in a jar of honey. Good luck on your quest.
2007-03-03 13:25:34 · answer #4 · answered by Girls M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋