Quotes as deep as the sky from Lao Tzu. Sayings of Lao Tzu

: Lao Tzu was born in the kingdom of Chu in southern China. For most of his life he served as custodian of the royal library of the Zhou state, where he met Confucius. IN old age he left the country for the west. When he reached the border outpost, its chief Yin Xi asked Lao Tzu to tell him about his teachings. Lao Tzu fulfilled his request by writing the text “Tao Te Ching” (Canon of the Way and its Good Power).

According to another legend, Master Lao Tzu came to China from India, discarding his history, he appeared before the Chinese completely pure, without his past, as if born again.

Many modern researchers question the very existence of Lao Tzu. Some suggest that he could be an older contemporary of Confucius, about whom - unlike Confucius - there is no reliable information of either a historical or biographical nature in the sources. There is even a version that Lao Tzu and Confucius are one person. There are suggestions that Lao Tzu could be the author of the Taoist philosophical treatise “Tao Te Ching” if he lived in the 4th-3rd centuries. BC e.

Lao Tzu about himself. Here is what the Tao Te Ching says in the first person:

“...All people hold on to their “I”, only I chose to give it up. My heart is like a heart stupid man, - so dark, so unclear! The everyday world of people is clear and obvious; I alone live in a vague world, like evening twilight. The everyday world of people is painted down to the smallest detail; I alone live in an incomprehensible and mysterious world. Like a lake I am calm and quiet. We will not stop, like the breath of the wind! People always have something to do, but I alone live like an ignorant savage. I am the only one who differs from others in that above all else I value the root of life, the mother of all living things.”

As Lao Tzu said:

The voice of truth is disgusting to hear.
He who does not fight is invincible.
You are controlled by the one who makes you angry.
The sage avoids all extremes.
If there are Paths, they do not stagnate.
A person dies from birth.
When there are no enemies, there is no war.
He who is content with himself is a rich man.
If you accumulate a lot, a lot will disappear.
He who talks a lot often fails.
There is no misfortune worse than not knowing satisfaction.
The best thing is to quit after achieving success.
Nature is never in a hurry, but always has time.
He who thinks he has comprehended everything knows nothing.
The law of the worthy is to do good and not quarrel.
There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy.
Smart people are not learned; scientists are not smart.
Even the best weapons do not bode well.
A truly enlightened person never fights.
Easily achieved agreement is not trustworthy.
If you lack faith, then existence does not believe in you.
He who knows does not speak. The one who speaks does not know.
If people are not afraid of death, then why frighten them with death?
He who wages war for the sake of humanity will defeat his enemies.
Be attentive to your thoughts - they are the beginning of actions.
Loss is the beginning of reproduction, multitude is the beginning of loss.
A moral person is not eloquent, and an eloquent person is a liar.
Whoever takes, fills his palms, whoever gives, fills his heart.
If the people are not afraid of power, then even greater power will come.
He who, knowing nothing, behaves as if he knows a lot, is sick.
For a sage, honor and shame from the powers that be are equally strange.
The trouble of the whole world comes from little things, just as great things come from small things.
When laws and orders multiply, the number of thieves and robbers increases.
He who neglects his life does not value his life.
If a thing is not suitable for one purpose, it can be used for another.
You cannot be as precious as jasper, you need to become simple as a stone.
There is no greater crime than indulging in harmful aspirations.
And a loss can turn into a profit, and a profit can turn into a loss.
Although war may have peace as its goal, it is undeniably evil.
Nothing happens in vain, everything is preparation for the next scene.
He who, knowing a lot, behaves as if he knows nothing, is a moral man.
A smart person expands his knowledge every day. The wise person erases the excess every day.
Never judge a person until you've passed long haul in his shoes.
Strong love gives someone strength, and strong love gives someone courage.
Worthy husband puts on thin clothes, but has a gem in it.
Tao constantly does not do, but there is nothing that it does not do.
Whoever, knowing the limits of his activity, does not approach dangers, will live long.
No one can defeat me because I have accepted my defeat and do not strive to win.
Man follows the earth. The earth follows the sky. Heaven follows Tao, and Tao follows naturalness.
There is nothing more powerful and creative than the emptiness that people seek to fill.
If you measure your success by the measure of others' praise and blame, your anxiety will be endless.
Where can I find a person who has forgotten all the words? I'd like to have a word with him.
Temperance is the first stage of virtue, which is the beginning of moral perfection.
People of the highest morality do not consider themselves moral, therefore they have the highest morality.
He who knows when to stop is happy with his position. He who knows a lot is silent, and he who speaks a lot knows nothing.
A truth expressed out loud ceases to be such, because it has already lost its primary connection with the moment of truth.
The voice of truth is graceless, and graceful speech is deceitful. A moral person is not eloquent, and an eloquent person is a liar.
The reason that it is difficult to govern the people is that the people are enlightened and there are many smart people in them.
Boundless virtue is like its defect; spreading virtue is like plundering it.
He who knows people is intelligent. He who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers people is strong. He who conquers himself is powerful.
Although there is no object in the world that would be weaker and more delicate than water, it can destroy the hardest object.
He who is brave without knowing philanthropy, who is generous without knowing thrift, who goes forward without knowing humility, will perish.
Be bent and you will stay straight. Be empty and you will remain full. Be worn out and you will remain new.
The perfection of a warrior lies in vigilance, constant combat readiness, rigor, sincerity, and impenetrable calm.
When you are prosperous, think about what you need to do in times of trouble, since great trouble begins with a small one.
Be able to know the beginning and the path of antiquity, and this knowledge will allow you to see the guiding thread leading to today.
A great man holds on to the essential and abandons the trivial. He does everything truthfully, but will never rely on laws.
He who knows people is prudent. He who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers people is strong. He who conquers himself is mighty.
Free your mind from thoughts. Let your heart calm down. Calmly follow the turmoil of the world. Watch how everything falls into place.
Fine words are not trustworthy. Kind is not eloquent. An eloquent person cannot be kind. He who knows does not prove, he who proves does not know.
Gratitude to the world, and not only for the good, but also for painful lessons, should be constantly in a person’s heart, as the core of his life. Then it grows.
Man with higher power the spirit corrects the internal in order to control the external. A person with a lower Fortitude corrects the external in order to calm the internal.
Who is brave and warlike - perishes, who is brave and not warlike - will live. These two things mean: one - benefit, and the other - harm. Who knows the reasons why heaven hates the warlike? To explain this is difficult and perfectly wise.
The perfectly wise accumulate nothing. He does everything for people and gives everything to others. The Heavenly Dao benefits all beings and does not harm. The Tao of the completely wise is action without struggle. The desire for life is too strong. This is why death is despised. He who neglects his life values his life.
You judge people by their usefulness. I'm not saying you shouldn't do anything useful. Do useful things, but remember that the real and greatest experience of life and ecstasy comes from doing useless things. It comes through poetry, painting, love, meditation. The greatest joy will fill you only if you are able to do something that cannot be reduced to a product. The reward is spiritual, internal, it is manifested by energy. So, if you feel useless, don't worry. You can become a huge tree with a large crown. And people who have entered into useful activity... they sometimes need to rest in the shade.
Anyone who forces himself will not achieve success.
He who is visible to everyone cannot see clearly himself.
Anyone who is just trying to start will never start.
Anyone who feels sorry for himself cannot improve.
Anyone who thinks he is right cannot improve.
Anyone who is in too much of a hurry will achieve nothing.

There are people who have changed the minds of not only their generation, but also influencing those who will live many, many centuries after. They came from nowhere, but did not leave without a trace, but left behind a Path. The narrow path hurries on its own and leads away everyone who decides to take it, following the sound words of the pioneer. That's how quotes are Lao Tzu once, like birds, they took off and managed to fly around the whole world, giving birth to followers of True Wisdom. Who is Lao Tzu? What is this Wisdom and how does it help you manage your life?

The old man is a legend. Majestic mountains with lonely pine trees on them, a sky that stretches upward like a dome and silence that can be heard as a drawn-out melody. All this provided opportunities and leisurely but deep plans. It was here that philosophers were born who helped people see the beauty of life and the true calling of man.

Where did he come from and how did the man, the philosopher, who took the name Lao Tzu appear? There is no single version. Some of his contemporaries insisted that he, 81 years old, was born by a mother who had been carrying a child under her heart all this time. And he appeared already gray-haired and wise.

In another version, this man came from India, but he did not bring with him any teaching, as if Blank sheet, he went to China to study and experience. And therefore, his statements fully reflect the Eastern philosophy of worldview.

But, like any other legendary figure, Lao Tzu fights for “life.” Some historians even dispute the existence of this philosopher. And all his quotes and aphorisms are distributed between Confucius and his lesser-known contemporaries.

So did the man whose wisdom formed the basis of one of the most grandiose teachings actually live? Was he the one whom Confucius called like the Dragon and recognized his wisdom as unattainable? Let's leave this behind the scenes, focusing on simple, but wise aphorisms Lao Tzu.

He who talks a lot often fails.

Never judge a person until you have walked a long way in their shoes.

Be more attentive to your thoughts, they are the beginning of actions!

He who takes fills his palms, he who gives fills his heart.

There is nothing in the world weaker and more delicate than water, but it can destroy the hardest object!

A pot is made from clay, but only for the sake of the emptiness that is inside...

He who knows how to control others is strong, and he who knows how to control himself is powerful.

It is necessary to restore order when there is still no turmoil.

The path of wisdom. These quotes are almost 14 centuries old, but each of us willingly recognizes their practicality for modern man. They seem to become even wiser with age. What is their secret? It's simple. The philosopher did not speak about temporary concepts, not about fashion trends, he based his teaching on eternal concepts such as: love, simplicity of thinking, common sense, and harmony with the surrounding world.

This all became the beginning of the Path. Where does it lead? Towards the unity of nature and man. Nature makes people strong and perfect; a person takes care of everything that surrounds him. And he does it not for his own benefit, but in fairness, considering everything a part of himself. Is there meaning and wisdom here? Without a doubt! The philosopher's sayings are deep and accurate. And most importantly, they touch the life of every person.

Overcoming the difficult begins with the easy, the realization of the great begins with the small, for in the world the difficult is formed from the easy, and the great from the small.

There is no greater misfortune than the inability to be content with what you have.

He who neglects his life does not value his life.

Anyone who forces himself will not achieve success. Anyone who feels sorry for himself cannot improve.

When going uphill, don’t hit the feet of those you pass along the way. You will meet them again when you go down.

A smart person expands his knowledge every day. The wise person erases the excess every day.

Cloudy water, if allowed to stand, becomes clear.

One wheel has thirty spokes, but only the void between them makes movement possible. Vases are made from clay, but they take advantage of the emptiness in the vase. They break through windows and doors in the house, but take advantage of the emptiness in the house. This is the benefit of being and non-being.

We all want to get so much from life that sometimes we rush somewhere and are in a hurry, passing by important and actually necessary things. In pursuit of material things or pleasures, we forget about the eternal: about love and friendship, about what really matters and brings true joy and meaning to our lives.

The wise words of Lao Tzu put everything in its place. He, without haste, calmly shows what a person really needs for the completeness and harmony of his existence. Without making any distinction between young and old, noble or a simple person who have achieved and strive to achieve something truly important, the thinker shows what surrounds us beautiful life. His phrases help us see and appreciate all the possibilities that we have. And strive no longer for empty and weak goals, but for your own happiness.

On our website we have collected a worthy collection of sayings of the sage. All these aphorisms can be downloaded for free and shared with friends.

When laws and orders multiply, the number of thieves and robbers increases.
When there are no enemies, there is no war.
If you accumulate a lot, a lot will disappear.
If the people are not afraid of power, then even greater power will come.
Whoever, knowing the limits of his activity, does not approach dangers, will live long.
He who, knowing a lot, behaves as if he knows nothing, is a moral man.
He who talks a lot often fails.
He who, knowing nothing, behaves as if he knows a lot, is sick.
If people are not afraid of death, then why frighten them with death?
There are four great spheres: Path, Heaven, Earth, Man - and Man occupies first place among the spheres...
The law of the worthy is to do good and not quarrel.
He who knows when to stop is happy with his position. He who knows a lot is silent, but he who speaks a lot knows nothing.
The trouble of the whole world comes from little things, just as great things come from small things.
Boundless virtue is like its defect; spreading virtue is like plundering it.
A worthy husband always tries to be impartial, not to attach value to hard-to-get things and not to listen to fruitless teaching.
a lot, but does not boast about what he has done; he makes merits, but does not recognize them, because he does not want to reveal his wisdom.
Be able to know the beginning and the path of antiquity, and this knowledge will allow you to see the guiding thread leading to today.
Be attentive to your thoughts - they are the beginning of actions.
A great man holds on to the essential and abandons the trivial. He does everything truthfully, but will never rely on laws.
There are thirty spokes in one wheel, but they use a chariot because of the emptiness between them. Vases are made from clay, but they take advantage of the emptiness in the vase. They break through windows and doors in the house, but take advantage of the emptiness in the house. This is the benefit of being and non-being.
Temperance is the first stage of virtue, which is the beginning of moral perfection.
Everything in the world grows, blooms and returns to its root. Returning to one's root means tranquility; consonant with nature means eternal; therefore, the destruction of the body does not involve any danger.
The voice of truth is graceless, and graceful speech is deceitful. A moral person is not eloquent, and an eloquent person is a liar.
The voice of truth is disgusting to hear.
Even the best weapons do not bode well.
For a sage, honor and shame from the powers that be are equally strange.
He who is content with himself is a rich man.
A worthy husband puts on thin clothes, but has a precious stone in himself.
If a thing is not suitable for one purpose, it can be used for another.
If you lack faith, then existence does not believe in you.
If the palace is luxurious, then the fields are covered with weeds and the grain stores are empty. The nobility dresses in luxurious fabrics, carries sharp swords, is not satisfied with ordinary food and accumulates excessive wealth. All this is called robbery and waste.
A truly enlightened person never fights.
And a loss can turn into a profit, and a profit can turn into a loss.
When you are prosperous, think about what you need to do in times of trouble, since great trouble begins with a small one.
He who wages war for the sake of humanity will defeat his enemies.
He who pretends to know a lot and is capable of everything knows nothing and is incapable of anything.
He who thinks he has comprehended everything knows nothing.
Anyone who, when undertaking a task, is in a hurry to achieve a result, will do nothing. He who carefully finishes his work as he began will not fail.
He who is brave without knowing philanthropy, who is generous without knowing thrift, who goes forward without knowing humility, will perish.
Easily achieved agreement is not trustworthy.
People of the highest morality do not consider themselves moral, therefore they have the highest morality.
Loss is the beginning of reproduction, multitude is the beginning of loss.
If there are Paths, they do not stagnate.
The sage avoids all extremes.
does not expose itself to the light, therefore it shines; he does not talk about himself, therefore he is glorious; he does not glorify himself, therefore he is deserved; he does not exalt himself, so he is the eldest among others.
The best thing is to quit after achieving success.
People, doing things, approaching their completion, constantly spoil them, and if you are as careful at the end of the thing as at the beginning, then you will not spoil it.
The lowly are the basis for the noble, and the low is the basis for the high. Therefore, nobles and sovereigns who elevate themselves do not have a strong position, because they do not consider the ignorant as their basis. This is the wrong way.
Without knowing constancy, you fuss, creating failures, and awareness of constancy makes a person receptive. Sensitivity leads to the ability to be fair.
Although there is no object in the world that would be weaker and more delicate than water, it can destroy the hardest object.
Although war may have peace as its goal, it is undeniably evil.
You cannot be as precious as jasper, you need to become simple as a stone.
You can't deify demons.
He who does not quarrel is not condemned.
There is no misfortune worse than not knowing satisfaction.
There is no greater crime than indulging in harmful aspirations.
There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy.
There is no sin heavier than passions.
Denial of the Path is: luxurious apartments and fields overgrown with weeds, rich clothing, satiety of food and completely empty storage facilities.
The reason that it is difficult to govern the people is that the people are enlightened and there are many smart people in them.
Show the simplicity of an unpainted canvas, contain the artlessness of an unfinished piece of wood, reduce self-interest and limit desires.
The perfection of a warrior lies in vigilance, constant combat readiness, rigor, sincerity, and impenetrable calm.
The newly bloomed plant is tender and weak. A dried plant is hard and inflexible. From this it is clear that the tender and weak live.
He who knows people is prudent. He who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers people is strong. He who conquers himself is powerful.
He who neglects his life does not value his life.
Smart people are not learned; scientists are not smart.
At birth a person is tender and weak, at death he is hard and strong. All things and plants are tender and weak at birth, but hard and strong at death. The hard and strong is what perishes. The tender and the weak are what begin to live... The strong and powerful do not have the advantage that the tender and weak have.
Man follows the earth. The earth follows the sky. Heaven follows Tao, and Tao follows naturalness.

Lao Tzu is a philosopher from Ancient China who supposedly lived in the 6th-5th centuries BC. e. It is believed that it was he who wrote one of the most important Taoist philosophical works - “Tao Te Ching”. Modern researchers question the existence of the philosopher. Despite this, in scientific literature Lao Tzu is considered the founder of Taoism.

Philosophy of Tao

Before considering the sayings of Lao Tzu, it is useful to pay a little attention to the doctrine that he preaches in his writings. The Taoist way of life is a hermitage. Its adherent practices “silence”, “inaction”.

The philosopher considers the universal emptiness to be his birthplace. He decides to master the highest knowledge in the process of flawlessly following the Great Tao. On his journey, Lao Tzu acquires three moral virtues: modesty, simplicity and compassion. With their help, the sage gains courage, the breadth of his soul and the skills of a spiritual teacher. As a result, he becomes the Father of learning.

About thoughts

An ancient Chinese sage said the following about human thoughts:

Be attentive to your thoughts, they are the beginning of actions.

It is a person’s thoughts that determine his actions, says Lao Tzu. That is why you should be extremely attentive to your thoughts. Existing a fine line between the thought and the beginning of active actions determines the future of a person. Therefore, everyone who is interested in their own future should listen to the advice of a wise philosopher.

Many of Lao Tzu's sayings and quotes relate to self-control. For example, the following:

He who knows how to control others is strong, but he who knows how to control himself is even stronger.

In this phrase, the philosopher emphasizes that the ability to competently manage other people is an entire art that makes a person strong. But self-control requires even greater skills from a person. And it is this that gives strength, helps to develop the inner core.

On the relativity of profits and losses

Quotes, wise sayings and the aphorisms of Lao Tzu teach that everything in human life relatively. For example, the following phrase states that any gain may actually be a loss. A loss, on the contrary, can actually be a profit.

And a loss can turn into a profit, and a profit can turn into a loss.

It may seem to a person that the events that happen to him are a real disaster. But in fact, any loss can be turned into profit - to do this, it is enough to find a plus in the current situation. This valuable skill helps you remain a winner in any circumstances.

About the desire to have

In his sayings, aphorisms and quotes, Lao Tzu teaches correct attitude to material and spiritual things. The following phrase refers to the desire to possess something, which often overwhelms a person and brings him nothing but suffering:

Free yourself from the desire to have.

Why does the sage speak about this in an imperative mood, as if giving parting words to his listeners? Undoubtedly, he wants the best for his students, and will not say anything bad to them. A person is often unhappy in his life for the reason that he wants to take too much for himself. Often he makes plans for decades to come, wants to construct the reality that he likes. He wants to buy a home, build a family, be in a social circle with certain people. And when these plans of his collapse, he becomes truly unhappy.

This is why Lao Tzu’s saying teaches not to become attached to material things or people. After all, often the “desire to have” refers not only to money or physical values. There are also cases when a person certainly wants to “have” another personality in his life. This often happens when, for example, parents do not want to let their already adult child go into free life. But in order not to feel unhappy, they should internally free themselves from the “desire to have” and give freedom to their children. This case is just one example illustrating Lao Tzu's statement. In fact, similar examples can be given a large number of, and in all cases, human suffering is due to material or emotional losses.

About misconceptions

The judgments of the ancient Chinese sage may sometimes seem too radical:

Man has been in error for a long time.

But in reality there is considerable wisdom in them. These words are similar to the words of Plato: “I know that I know nothing.” People may believe that they know some information or knowledge, but over time it turns out that this truth was relative. Both all of humanity and an individual go through this process. Everyone develops awareness throughout their lives, and the process of acquiring new knowledge never stops. At the same time, getting rid of misconceptions always concerns a certain area of life - precisely where new knowledge is required. The practice of managing your inner experiences - in other words, meditation - allows you to develop awareness and get rid of delusions. One who is able to practice calm presence gradually acquires the habit of being relaxed. This means that his perception of the world becomes more accurate, and he gets rid of misconceptions.

About worthy people

Quotes and sayings by Lao Tzu allow us to paint a portrait of a worthy person. For example, in the following phrase the sage says:

The law of the worthy is to do good and not quarrel.

A worthy person who respects himself and other people, in almost all situations he tries to control himself and not enter into conflicts. A noble person can also be recognized by her desire to do good deeds. Lao Tzu in his statement says that for a worthy person this is the law. In other words, he is guided by a similar rule in any life situations.

A noble man will not boast

The following words of the sage refer to the quality of modesty:

A worthy husband does a lot, but does not boast about what he has done; makes merit, but does not recognize it, because he does not want to reveal his wisdom.

A person with sufficiently high self-esteem will not show off his achievements or good deeds to everyone. He doesn't want other people to know that he has wisdom. A braggart, on the contrary, constantly strives to tell the whole world about what good deeds he has done today.

The one who boasts cannot be a worthy person. In reality, those who strive to boast about their achievements have rather low self-esteem. To feel good, he starts telling everyone about how noble and kind person is. But this behavior suggests the opposite. The quality inherent in a worthy person is modesty - and Lao Tzu’s phrase once again reminds us of this.

About the ability to step into someone else's shoes

Lao Tzu said:

Never judge a person until you have walked a long way in their shoes.

To step into another person's shoes - not an easy task. However, this is one of the most important skills, and also a prerequisite inner harmony, psychological balance. People tend to judge those who seem to them to be unworthy or villainous. But who knows, if the condemner had gone the same way as the object of his condemnation, he would not would he then be even worse and unworthy?

In his statement, the sage Lao Tzu teaches empathy, or compassion. This skill is the ability to empathize with another person and takes his place. Compassion helps to understand why he committed this or that act, why he expressed certain emotions.

A few more quotes

Let's consider a few more wise sayings of this philosopher:

Those who talk a lot often fail, so it is better to keep things in moderation.
The sage places himself behind others, which puts him ahead.
Vessels are made from clay, but the use of the vessels depends on the emptiness in them.
In the pursuit of the ideal, do not forget to live!
The one who knows does not argue, the one who does not know argues.

These phrases teach the main patterns of life, and allow you to distinguish wise man from a fool. For example, someone who talks a lot and constantly is probably not very intelligent. That is why the Chinese sage recommends observing moderation and refraining from unnecessary speech.

The aforementioned phrase about modesty is also useful. Those who place themselves behind others end up ahead. In the modern world it is customary to refute this principle. But in reality, those who go over their heads are rarely happy.

Sayings of Lao Tzu and Confucius

Many readers who are looking for quotes from the ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu may also be interested in phrases from Confucius. Let's look at some of them.

If you hate, it means you have been defeated.
Before you take revenge, dig two graves.
Happiness is when you are understood, great happiness is when you are loved, real happiness is when you love.
We take advice in drops, but we give it out in buckets.
A noble man makes demands on himself, a low man makes demands on others.

The Chinese wisdom of both philosophers remains relevant to this day. Their phrases and sayings help you better understand yourself, other people and the world around you.

(VI–V centuries BC)

Real name: Li Er. Ancient Chinese philosopher. Main works: treatise “Tao Te Ching”.

In ancient times, somewhere on the farthest border of the Celestial Empire, where ancient outposts were located, along the road leading to the unknown country of the “Lady of the West,” a strange phenomenon occurred. The guard of the border outpost suddenly saw a cloud of purple color moving from the direction of that same unknown western land.

The observant guard turned out to be not a simple guardian of the peace of a great country, but a wise one, knowledgeable person, well versed in secret signs heaven He realized that the cloud was a divine sign of something extraordinary, namely the coming of Daozhen - the long-awaited sage of the Tao, who should announce a new teaching of life.

And indeed, as it approached, the cloud dissipated, and a majestic old man appeared in front of the guard, sitting on a snow-white bull. The wise guard bowed low to the traveler, and he silently handed him a certain book emitting a subtle radiance. It was a manuscript of what later became the sacred “Book of Tao and Te” (Tao Te Ching), in which there were exactly five thousand characters, which by modern standards is equal to approximately one newspaper sheet. After this, the mysterious sage passed the outpost and was never seen again.

This is the ancient Chinese legend that tells of the “Book of the Way,” or “Book of Tao,” the author of which was the legendary sage and philosopher Li Er, who wrote under the fictitious name of Lao Tzu.

A wonderful legend is also associated with the very name of Lao Tzu. The name translates as “elder”, or more precisely, “old child”. It was as if he was conceived from a five-color pearl, which contained solar energy, swallowed by his mother.

The child spent 81 years in the womb (that’s where the pseudonym “old child” comes from) and came into the world from the mother’s left hypochondrium. In addition, he turned out to be completely gray. Such a miracle, apparently, was supposed to testify to the innate wisdom of Li Er.

In turn, the word "li" means tree, in in this case plum, because the mother gave birth to a child under the tree. And the word “er” is translated as “ear,” which indicated the exorbitant length of the ears of the future sage. So Li Er, who took the name Lao Tzu, became the hero of the Tao Te Jing.

All of the above is only a small part of the folk epic about the life and work of Lao Tzu. In any case, there is much less reliable historical information about the great Chinese thinker than there are legends about him. Which is understandable, if we keep in mind the enormous duration of the events that took place.

In a very short biography of Lao Tzu, outlined by the ancient (2nd century BC) historian Sima Qian, it is reported that the philosopher was born around 579 BC. e. in the kingdom of Chu, Ku county, Li volost, in the village of Quren. The historian further writes that Li Er was a historiographer, the main custodian of the state archive under the Zhou kingdom. He was married and had a son named Tsang, who later became a military leader. Li Er lived for several years in the capital of the Zhou kingdom, Luoyang, working on official documents, talking with visitors and guests of various classes. Impressions from reading ancient books, conversations with wise people(there is an assumption that he met with Confucius) gradually developed into their own perception of the nature of the world, its natural and divine laws.

Having lived long life, archivist Li Er came to the idea of the need to abandon public activities. He clearly saw signs of the decline of the state, in which the rules and orders of the emerging feudal system began to prevail, and condemned the wars of conquest constantly launched by power-hungry rulers. In short, I clearly realized that civil service comes into conflict with the natural laws of society. It was then that Li Er, riding a bull, set off on that very journey, the crown of which was the transfer of the manuscript to the guard of the border outpost. Where and when Lao Tzu ended his days remains a mystery to history.

But the teachings of the legendary thinker have survived centuries, becoming second in importance and popularity in China after Confucianism. And all this thanks to that very treatise Tao Te Ching, the main character of which is Lao Tzu himself. The treatise contains the main essence of the philosophical teaching, called “Taoism” and which brought well-deserved fame to the Chinese sage. Taoism places Tao, the Path, as the basis of knowledge.

How can we understand the Tao and is it even possible to describe it in a form that is closest to the understanding that the Chinese philosopher put into it? It is possible, if you do not limit yourself to one or even several definitions. First, let's give the floor to Lao Tzu himself:

“The hieroglyph “dao” consists of two parts: “shou” - head, and “zou” - go, so the main meaning of this hieroglyph is the road along which people walk, but now this hieroglyph has acquired a figurative meaning and began to mean a pattern, a law.

Tao is the root of heaven and earth, Tao is the mother of all things, Tao is the basis of the world.

Tao has no form, no sound, no form. You look at him, but you don’t see him, you listen to him, but you don’t hear him, you catch him, but you can’t catch him.

Tao gives birth to things. Dae feeds them. To create and not to appropriate, to create and not to boast, being an elder, not to command - this is what is called the deepest De.

Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all beings. All beings carry within themselves yin And yang, filled qi and form harmony.

The Tao is constantly in non-action, but there is nothing whatever it does.”

Another designation for Tao is emptiness. But it is not a symbol of “nothing”. Lao Tzu compares this emptiness to objects whose emptiness is necessary: “Vessels are made from clay, and since the vessels inside are empty, it becomes possible to use them. Doors and windows are hollowed out to build a house, and since the inside of the house is empty, it becomes possible to use it. Therefore, the presence of objects is beneficial, and the emptiness in them makes them complete for use. Tao is emptiness."

Let's try to translate the mysterious symbolism of Chinese philosophy into the language of logic. As you know, every single being, for example a thing, has its own form and its own image - an idea of it. Tao as a universal being, unlike the individual, has neither form nor image. Otherwise it would stand in line with the single one.

Where there is an “is” in an object, Tao says “no,” because the object is so changeable that it is impossible to judge it. The change is adequate to the movement. But if movement is always finite, then Tao is always motionless, and therefore eternal. If this is so, then the Tao is best and most understandably compared to a void that is filled with changeable entities.

Here it should be emphasized once again that the emptiness of Tao is an image, a metaphor designed to designate an eternally existing principle. In the original poems of Lao Tzu, it is called by another concept - “spirit of the valley,” which, in turn, is an image of the eternal and unchanging.

Translated into modern language, these verses would look something like this:

It is clear that the “spirit of the valley” given in the poem is Tao, emptiness. According to the ancient Chinese, the deity of the valley lives in its center. The center is bordered by mountains, and therefore is a flat place, as if empty.

The job of a sage is to see this emptiness, and in it - all the opposites of the world. And the sage himself should feel himself in the center of knowledge, in the place where the opposites of being are most easily visible:

He doesn't leave the house

However, the whole world knows.

He doesn't look out the window

However, he sees the whole Path.

In Lao Tzu one can find many paradoxical sayings, for example: “The Path that may be the Path is not the eternal path”; “Curve means straight”; “Great wit is like stupidity”; “True words resemble lies”; “He who speaks does not know.”

To appreciate such wisdom, one must understand the subtlety of thinking of ancient Chinese philosophers. Their goal was natural life, that is, life in accordance with nature. Everything artificial, “made by people,” had no price. Therefore, the ideal of a sage is not a perfect person, but a true person (zhenren). He was described like this:

"The true man of antiquity:

Does not rejoice in life, does not turn away from death.

He leaves indifferently, he comes indifferently.

Doesn’t forget how it all begins, doesn’t strive for how it all ends.

Follows the natural course of things and does not rebel against it.

Does not violate the Tao with feelings of love or hate.

By his actions he does not seek to help the growth of Heaven.”

The expression "to help grow" during times ancient China was equivalent to the expression “doing an unnecessary thing” and was well explained by the following parable. One man, cultivating a field and eagerly awaiting the sprouts, thought that the sprouts were rising too slowly from the ground. Then he decided to help them and pull the plant up. When the sons came to the field, it was already too late: all the seedlings died.

An ancient Chinese sage said in this case that the owner of the field “helped growth,” that is, disrupted the natural course of things.

Another feature of ancient Chinese thinking concerned visible things. Nobody knows what they really are. Therefore, the sage said: “Every object is both this and that, and neither this nor this.”

After all, even a stick dipped into water seems crooked, and the path along which the crowd follows may turn out to be false.

Unlike ordinary person the sage sees the natural harmony of the world in paradoxes. In this regard, Lao Tzu’s courage is unprecedented, which can be illustrated by such statements, for example: “The highest virtue is non-virtue. And therefore she is a virtue”; “The lowest virtue does not cease to be a virtue. And therefore she is a non-virtue”; "Heavy - basis of the lung»; « True words are not pleasant. Pleasant words are not true"; “Kind people are not argumentative, argumentative people are not kind.”

The Path, or Tao, as Lao Tzu understood it, determined the formation and development of Chinese philosophy for a long time. The doctrine of Taoism, which arose after the 5th century. BC e., proclaimed the autonomy, independence of the human personality, the spontaneity of its nature. It turned out that there were no firm norms of behavior for the Tao. This “anti-ethics” implied a complete denial public institutions– the state, society, the morality accepted in it. For followers of Taoism, these institutions and their principles were only a means to suppress individual freedom.

In fact, the very concept of “value” lost all meaning. At first glance, such a philosophy took a step back in comparison with, for example, Confucianism or the European ideals embodied by Plato, Epictetus, and Seneca. In fact, the Tao, in parallel with ancient wisdom, laid the cornerstone of the foundation on which the entire European, and not only European, civilization was subsequently built. In any case, the ideas of free creativity and independent arts have discovered a direct genetic connection with the ideas of Tao - the path to liberation of creative forces, the free soaring of the artist’s imagination.

The mathematically verified logic of the Tao has melted, surprisingly, into the sphere of the emotional, sensual, susceptible to all manifestations of irrational consciousness. Tao marked the path not so much of a pragmatically-minded politician, but rather the fate of an artist not associated with the conventions of society.

And if today one of the novice talents, disturbers of aesthetic canons, declares himself without any fear, then not least of all he owes his freedom to the Chinese sage Lao Tzu. To the thinker who destroyed immutable boundaries creative personality: “The highest good is like water. The goodness that water provides benefits all beings, and it does not fight against them. Water is found in places that people abhor, so it is like the Tao.”