Lao Tzu
Explain the advice about being overbearing when one has wealth and position and what it means to retire when the task is accomplished
If you are showing off your wealth, someone will try and take it from you Accomplish things and move on, modesty, do not trumpet it
How does lao tau rank the important of the rites (ie the confucian rituals)
He ranks them as least important. all you need is simplicity, not refinement, which makes you stronger if you have natural harmony, you do not need the rituals to hold you in line, actions come from within
what distinguishes the best the average and the worst student
1. Best - practices it with consistency and carefulness when he hears it he puts it into practice (Daoist) 2. Average - he responds as a theory, does not put it into practice, some uses it, sometimes he does not 3. Worst- laughs out loud because his desires make him ignorant Dao life is contrary to path of man, so it should be silly
What is lao tzu's advice regarding different ways of ruling
1. Best ruler - Daoist sage, takes minimal action, does not interfere, is a shadowy figure "wu Wei" action in inaction 2. ruler love and praise - confucian gentlemen 3. feared ruler- small man, rules by intimidation 4. Takes liberties on ruler - small man with no respect
Explain the point about the empty granaries and those dressed in fineries with swords at their sides
Empty granaries = people going hungry because rulers are not focused on tending the fields for food. Those dressed in fineries = they have too much wealth, they are living lavishly while people are dying Too focused on conquering The sword represent defending against their own people, robbing them of their basic needs.
Explain Lao Tzu's political advice in contrasting "the way of heaven" and "the way of man"
The way of heaven- takes what we have extra of, creates harmony, equilibrium (way of nature) way of man- people at top take from those who have nothing
Explain the advice about "honoring men of worth" offered by Lao Tzu
people who are less virtuous will resent those who are put on the pedestal creates disharmony within self and society should not put people on a pedestal (opposite of Confucius)
Explain the connection between war and having too many desires
Warfare comes out of excessive desires desires for luxury rulers need to give up these desires
Explain political advice about "not being meddlesome"
You bring people back to "the way" by leaving them alone Wu Wei No interference Leave people alone and they will prosper
Explain the point about knowledge
You have humility in knowing what you do not know thinking you know things leads to difficulty No one else understands bc ignorance
Why does lao tau think that one should not exult in military victories
You should mourn the losses of the fallen even if you won because it is immoral to celebrate the death of people. Do not boast about winning
Explain Lao Tzu's advice on how to treat those who are not good
You should treat everyone with goodness and respect and love everyone
Uncarved block vs jade figurine
block = daoist sage, utter simplicity, free of desire jade = confucian gentlemen, constantly refining.
explain the examples of the clay vessel and the room in XI as shown how you can "adopt the nothing therein to the purpose in hand"
call vessel represents how we use the empty space, the physical emptiness all in one ex: water bottle, you use the empty space by filling it up with water Room - door and windows, openings, it is the lack of something, the walls are just there to hold open the empty space the room is what we utilize
What is Lao tzu's advice about dealing with a thing while it is still nothing
do not let a problem develop, deal with it before it becomes bigger. Discernment = be wise and identify problems early on
