Philosophy of Lao Tzu - Essay Example

Happy is the man who finds wisdom; the man who gets understanding LAO TZU Lao who at times was considered to be wiser than even Confucius, laid stress on wisdom and understanding between humans as the basis of all his teachings. He abhorred writing down and thought it would limit the boundary of teachings to mere words. Instead, he thought that wise teachings should sink into the mind and heart and become part of life. He thought understanding the self is the most important beginning of life.

If a person does not understand himself, Lao said there is very little hope of his understanding others or the universe. He says more than knowing others, knowing himself is the mark of wisdom. “At the center of your being, you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want”. Lao Tzu http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/laotzu386562.htmlAfter understanding self, it is important for the individual to understand other humans and live with them in harmony. But the ultimate understanding comes when the individual understands the universe and nature and learns to live according to the universal rules of nature.

He has connected unrelated things like nature and warfare with complete success. “Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage wagons. Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains in his proper place, indifferent to them. How should the lord of innumerable chariots carry himself lightly before the kingdom? If he does act lightly, he has lost his root; if he proceeds to active movement, he will lose his throne”.http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHPHIL/LAOTZU.

HTMThe life and work of Lao were very closely connected to the above Biblical proverb as he was a man of wisdom and he stressed the importance of wisdom and understanding all his life. His work Tao Te Ching, which meant ‘The Law of virtue and its way’, is a testament to wisdom and understanding. Lines like the following are the embodiment of wisdom and understanding of all the elements. The five colors blind the eye. The five tones deafen the ear. The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind.

Precious things lead one astray.http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/lao.htmlLao commended the sage who has all the understanding and wisdom, but never makes an exhibition of it. He can command people and make things happen without using any speech and this is done on the strength of his wisdom and understanding of human nature. His following words show perhaps the most understanding sentence of life: “ Heaven and earth do not act from any wish to be benevolent; they deal with all things as the dogs of the grass are dealt with.

The sages do not act from any wish to be benevolent; they deal with the people as the dogs of the grass are dealt with.” http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHPHIL/LAOTZU.HTMHe argued that from wisdom comes humility devoid of all self-importance. With the understanding of human nature and the nature around us, we attain humble command and desire to be useful to others. All these make the individual happy and fulfilled. Lao and Confucius are hailed as the forerunners of the Chinese philosophy that ruled the land for nearly 23 centuries.