Laozi Laozi, Moss Roberts / University of California Press /May 29, 2019
The Tao Te Ching is a highly enlightening and popular book written by Lao Tzu and translated by Moss Roberts. The book is known for its profound philosophical thoughts, concise and clear text, and metaphors close to nature. The book expounds the concept of "Tao", emphasizes the laws of nature and the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, and advocates a lifestyle of governing by doing nothing and following nature. This thought has had a profound impact on traditional Chinese culture and philosophy, and has been recognized and accepted by more and more people. The Tao Te Ching is not only a philosophical classic, but also a book of wisdom about life, nature, and human beings. By reading the book, people can understand the true meaning of life, learn how to live in harmony with nature, and achieve inner peace and tranquility. Moss Roberts's accurate and vivid translation has enabled this ancient classic to be passed on and carried forward.
Dao De Jing (道德经) Summary The Dao De Jing by Laozi is a classic of Taoist philosophy, divided into 81 chapters. Moss Roberts&39;s version maintains the original text while providing a detailed translation and commentary. The following is a summary of the main chapters of the book and their contents. Chapter 1: The Tao that can be spoken is not the real TaoKey points: - The essence of Tao: It cannot be described, has no name or form, and transcends all concepts. - The limitation of naming: The process of naming limits the infinite possibilities of Tao. - Wuwei: Follow nature and do not intervene artificially. Chapter 2: The world knows that beauty is beautyKey points: - Relativity: Beauty and ugliness are relative, and there is no absolute standard. - Moral selflessness: Only by not clinging to the self can one achieve a selfless moral realm. Chapter 3: Not advocating the virtuousKey points: - Criticism of elitism: Society should not over-advocate so-called "virtuous people". - Wuweizhizhiji: The leader&39;s Wuweizhizhiji can allow people to develop themselves. Chapter 4: The Tao is empty and can be usedKey points: - The emptiness and incompleteness of the Tao: Although the Tao is empty, it can encompass everything. - Follow nature: People&39;s actions should follow the laws of nature. Chapter 5: Heaven and Earth are not benevolentKey points: - The ruthlessness of heaven and earth: Heaven and Earth treat all things equally, without partiality. - The virtue of the sage: The sage should imitate the selflessness of heaven and earth and treat people equally. Chapter 6: The immortality of the valley spiritKey points: - The eternity of the Tao: Like the spring water that keeps flowing out of the valley, the Tao is immortal. - Nourish life: Maintain vitality through inner tranquility. --- And so on, we can continue to summarize the remaining chapters. In each chapter, Lao Tzu puts forward profound views, involving philosophy, politics, morality, cosmology and many other aspects. The Tao Te Ching advocates following the laws of nature, advocating a simple and desireless attitude towards life, and emphasizing the importance of inner cultivation and personal morality. Moss Roberts&39;s version not only helps readers understand the meaning of the original text, but also provides readers with a path for further thinking through his comments.
Dao De Jing is a classic work full of wisdom and philosophy. The following are some wonderful sentences or paragraphs in it. They are profound, unique, beautiful, or creative. These sentences will be presented in the form of numbers 1-20 for readers to appreciate and enjoy. 1. "The Tao that can be spoken is not the real Tao; the name that can be named is not the real name." This sentence is the opening sentence of Tao Te Ching and has profound meaning. It tells us that the Tao cannot be fully expressed in words. Once it is expressed in words, it is no longer the eternal Tao. Similarly, the name can also change and is not an eternal name. This reflects Lao Tzu's profound insights into language and truth. 2. "Govern by doing nothing." This is a way of governance advocated by Lao Tzu, emphasizing compliance with nature and not excessive intervention. This idea still has great enlightenment significance for modern management and social governance. 3. "The highest good is like water. Water is good at benefiting all things without competing." Lao Tzu used water to illustrate the highest good because water can nourish all things without competing with them. This sentence tells us to be like water, good at benefiting others without competing for credit. 4. "The reverse is the movement of the Tao, and the weak is the use of the Tao." This sentence reveals the movement law and action mode of the Tao. The Tao works through reverse movement, and softness is the way of Tao. This inspires us to be good at thinking about problems from the opposite side and learn to overcome hardness with softness. 5. "Those who know do not speak, and those who speak do not know." This sentence tells us that truly wise people often do not speak easily, and those who like to talk big often lack true knowledge and insights. 6. "Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish." Lao Tzu used cooking a small fish to illustrate governing a big country, emphasizing that governing a country should be cautious and careful, just like cooking a small fish, you can't flip it at will, otherwise it will break. 7. "Misfortune is the place where good fortune depends, and good fortune is the place where misfortune lies." This sentence reveals the truth that misfortune and good fortune depend on each other. When we encounter a disaster, don't be too pessimistic, because there may be a turning point in it; and when we enjoy happiness, we must also remain vigilant, because there may be a crisis hidden in it. 8. "Nothing in the world is softer than water, but nothing can overcome the strong." This sentence once again emphasizes the softness and strength of water. Although water seems weak, it can penetrate hard stone. This tells us that we should learn to overcome hardness with softness and solve problems with wisdom. 9. "The greatest sound is silent, and the greatest image is invisible." This sentence describes the biggest sound and the biggest image. The biggest sound is often inaudible, and the biggest image is often invisible. This reflects Lao Tzu's profound understanding of the universe and nature. 10. "The Tao gave birth to one, one gave birth to two, two gave birth to three, and three gave birth to all things." This sentence reveals the process of the creation of the universe. The Tao created a chaotic unity, which was then divided into yin and yang. The interaction between the two yin and yang produced all things. This reflects Lao Tzu's unique insights into the creation of the universe. 11. "To learn is to increase day by day, to pursue the Tao is to lose day by day." This sentence tells us that the pursuit of knowledge will increase knowledge day by day, while the pursuit of the Tao will reduce desire day by day. This reflects Lao Tzu's different ways of pursuing knowledge and the Tao. 12. "The sage has no fixed mind, and takes the people's mind as his mind." This sentence describes the sage's mentality. The sage has no fixed mind, but takes the people's mind as his mind. This reflects Lao Tzu's idealized description of saints and his emphasis on the idea of people-centeredness. 13. "The net of heaven is vast and wide, but nothing can escape it." This sentence uses the net of heaven to metaphorically represent the laws and rules of nature. Although the net of heaven looks sparse, it will not miss any criminal. This tells us that we should believe in the laws and rules of nature and not be lucky. 14. "If the people do not fear the majesty, then great power will come." This sentence tells us that if the people do not fear the majesty of the rulers, then greater disasters will come. This reflects Lao Tzu's profound insights into the relationship between rulers and the people and his concern for social stability. 15. "Truthful words are not beautiful, and beautiful words are not trustworthy." This sentence tells us that true words are often unpleasant to the ear, and pleasant words are often untrue. This tells us that we should be good at distinguishing truth from falsehood and not be deceived by superficial splendor. 16. "He who stands on tiptoe cannot stand, and he who strides cannot walk." This sentence uses standing on tiptoe and striding to metaphorically represent the behavior of being impatient for success. Standing on tiptoe may help you stand higher temporarily, but you cannot stand steadily; walking with strides may help you walk farther, but you cannot walk fast. This tells us that we should keep our feet on the ground and not rush for quick results. 17. "What people hate is loneliness, fewness and insufficiency, but kings and dukes use these words to describe themselves." This sentence tells us that people do not like loneliness, fewness and insufficiency, but kings and dukes use these words to describe themselves. This reflects Lao Tzu's emphasis on humility and gentleness, as well as his criticism of the powerful. 18. "Things may be increased by loss, or decreased by gain." This sentence reveals the two-sided nature of things. Sometimes, reducing some things will increase gains; and sometimes, adding some things will bring losses. This
Title: Exploring the Two Authors of Tao Te Ching: Lao Tzu and Moss Roberts Introduction: Tao Te Ching is a philosophical classic created by Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher, and is known as the founding work of the Taoist school.< This book has not only had a profound impact in China, but also has a wide-ranging impact around the world.
This article will introduce the two authors of Tao Te Ching: Lao Tzu and Moss Roberts, and their contributions to this work.< 1.
Laozi 1.
Personal basic information: Laozi, also known as Lao Dan, is a famous ancient Chinese philosopher and the founder of the Taoist school.< He lived in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.
The specific year of his birth and death is unknown, around the 6th century BC.< 2.
Education and professional background: Laozi's educational background is unknown, but he served as the keeper of the Zhou Dynasty's collection room, responsible for managing the country's books and archives.< This position exposed him to a wealth of ancient culture and philosophical thoughts.
3.
Writing career: Laozi's representative work is the Tao Te Ching, which is divided into 81 chapters and mainly expounds on the philosophical thoughts of Taoism, including concepts such as Tao, virtue, inaction, and nature.< 4.
Style and theme of the work: The style of the Tao Te Ching is concise, implicit, and full of wisdom and philosophy.< The theme revolves around concepts such as Tao, virtue, and inaction, emphasizing the idea of following nature and governing by inaction.
5.
Personal life: There are few historical records about Laozi's personal life.< It is said that he once rode a green ox to the west through Hangu Pass and left behind the work Tao Te Ching.
6.
Social influence: Laozi's Tao Te Ching has a profound influence on later generations and has become a classic work of the Taoist school.< At the same time, it has also had a wide-ranging impact on the world's philosophy, religion, culture and other fields.
7.
Quotations and evaluations: Tao Te Ching is hailed as the "treasure of Eastern philosophy" and is highly praised by many authoritative media and experts.< For example, the German philosopher Nietzsche once praised Laozi's thoughts for their "profound wisdom.
" II.< Moss Roberts 1.
Personal basic information: Moss Roberts is an American sinologist, born in 1945, who taught at Columbia University.< 2.
Education and career background: Roberts received his doctorate from Princeton University, specializing in Chinese literature and history.< His academic achievements have made him an authority in the American sinology community.
3.
Writing career: Roberts' writing career has mainly focused on the research and translation of Chinese classical literature.< He has translated many works of ancient Chinese literature, the most famous of which is the English translation of the Tao Te Ching.
4.
Style and theme of works: Roberts' translation works are known for being faithful to the original text and easy to understand.< His English translation of the Tao Te Ching is considered to be one of the translations closest to the original text.
5.
Personal life: There is little public information about Roberts' personal life.< He has been committed to promoting Chinese culture and philosophy and is a respected scholar.
6.
Social impact: Roberts' translation work has made ancient Chinese literary works such as the Tao Te Ching more widely spread and recognized around the world.< 7.
Quotations and evaluations: Roberts' English translation of the Tao Te Ching has been well received by many authoritative media and experts.< For example, the New York Times once commented that his translation was "accurate, vivid and poetic.
" Conclusion: Lao Tzu and Moss Roberts have contributed to the spread and influence of the Tao Te Ching in different ways.< Lao Tzu has influenced future generations with his profound philosophical thoughts, while Roberts has brought this classic work to the world through his superb translation work.
Their contributions enable us to better understand and appreciate this ancient work of wisdom.
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