Tao Te Ching #74

[judecorp]

.74.

If you realize that all things change,
there is nothing you will try to hold on to.
If you aren't afraid of dying,
there is nothing you can't achieve.

Trying to control the future
is like trying to take the master carpenter's place.
When you handle the master carpenter's tools,
chances are that you'll cut your hand.


Sometimes I think we, as people, and I, personally, work too hard at things that are already working themselves out. While it's beneficial and positive to have goals and things to strive for, I think, for me, there comes a time when I have to realize that things /are/ working out, and I don't need to beat them into submission.

Sometimes I realize that I am in a bad mood, and that nothing, not even the truest, most rational statements are going to change the color of that reality. At those times, I am not even close to being the Master, and I worry that I will cut your hand, too. We work with being, but non-being is what we use.

Comments

[qaphsiel.livejournal.com]

I picked up a copy of the Tao Te Ching recently. It's right under the buddhist stuff I'm reading right now. A great pair of verses (is that what they're called?) Thanks.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I've always called them verses. Out of the entire Tao, #11 is my all-time favorite.

It's a wonderful read.