Alex > Recent Status Updates

The Soviets killed or disappeared dozens of Catholic priests, which, according to the author, made the Catholic Church disappear for the polish farmers in Belarus and the Ukraine.

"Mencius saw Daoist inaction as a kind of small-scale hedonism that serves the self alone and avoids extending oneself to serve others."
I am inclined to agree.

I see no problem with Stanza 50. To me, the english version at least sounds like Lao Tzu is saying that wise men don't put themselves in danger, and thus escape harm. It has nothing to do with magical invulnerability. If the chinese text disagrees, then the translation must be faulty.

I'm thinking the commentator had no real exposure to aristotelian and scholastic metaphysics. Would be interesting to have commentary from someone who knew those as well as the oriental tradition.

I think it's getting redundant. At least it feels that way.

I think it's getting redundant. At least it feels that way.

I don't think the verses in Stanza 27 are disconnected.

"[...]for all Kelts [Franks] when on horseback are unbeatable in a charge and make a magnificent show, but whenever they dismount, partly because of their huge shields, partly too because of the spurs on their boots and their ungainly walk, they become very easy prey and altogether different as their former enthusiasm dies down."

While I am generally not very enarmored by this work, Stanza 11 made me think.

I much prefer scholastic metaphysics. Considering the time Lao Zi wrote in, and the heavy subject matter, what he wrote is an impressive achievement nonetheless.

From a commentator:
"Hence Laozi warns his reader against depleting one’s spiritual potency with too much verbal expression, admonishing him to conserve the potential productive core within."