Taoism originated in China around 500 b.c Taoist thought is based on the writings of Lao-Tzu in the poetic stanzas of the Tao Te Ching. Lau Tzu translates as the ’Old Man ’ or the ’Old Teacher ’. It is 5‚000 characters in length and comprises of two books. The Tao Te Ching is the second most printed book in the world next to the Bible. The Tao Te Ching represents Philosophical Taoism at its purest as it was to develop through the centuries into a more institutionalised religion and into branches
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As time has progressed‚ small civilizations have popped up throughout the earth‚ creating many groups of people‚ in all regions of the world. Around 1000 BCE‚ the world consisted of many city-states who eventually combined into large empires. One such empire is what is currently known as China. Originally‚ this empire was ruled by the Great Sage Rulers. These emperors taught their people the secrets of agriculture and medicine. The entire empire prospered‚ however‚ as the need for resources increased
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Lao Tzu once said‚ “He who gains victory over other men is strong‚ but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.” I believe this means that the most powerful person is one who understands and has control over themselves. Richard Wright‚ in his autobiography Black Boy‚ and the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel‚ The Great Gatsby both lend themselves in portraying the truth of this quote. This quote can be interpreted as saying that one who understands and has control over
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Discussion Questions 4 1.) According to Lao-tzu‚ what must the ruler provide the people with if they are to be happy? “Try to make people happy‚ and you lay the groundwork for misery.” According to Lao-tzu‚ in order to make the people happy‚ the ruler must stop insisting that they find happiness. In verse 66‚ Lao-tzu describes‚ “All streams flow to the sea.” By saying this‚ he is describing that a government must take a position underneath its people in order to ensure their happiness. The government
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Despised Two leaders by the names of Lao Tzu and Niccolo Machiavelli had two opinions on how one should lead their people. To be a leader‚ one must guide in the way they think is the best way to live. As humans‚ love and fear is something that surrounds us in our day to day life. Some‚ like Lao Tzu prefer to show love and to be loved‚ while some‚ like Niccolo Machiavelli‚ have the preference to be feared. To be loved means to be cherished‚ and that was Lao Tzu’s goal as a leader. To be feared means
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Cathey 1 Cody Cathey English Comp 2 Gena Messersmith February 9‚ 2015 Compare and Contrast Lao Tzu and Machiavelli Most people have differences on multiple things. Preferences change depending on who you are and what your views on life are. This was the case between Lao Tzu and Machiavelli. Most differences start on the subject of war. In Machiavelli ’s story "The Qualities of a Prince"‚ he talks about always being on your toes as a leader. You have to be ready to go to war at all times‚ no matter
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1 Kayla Short English 2 12:30 PM Class The way in which a leader governs his country can differ for different countries. Two polar opposites would be Lao-Tzu and Niccolo Machiavelli. They’re both on opposite sides of the spectrum for their ideas on how a leader should govern. Lao-Tzu leans more towards a less intrusive government‚ while Machiavelli believes in powerful rulers. Some of their ideas are shown today in our society‚ some good and some bad. Starting with Machiavelli‚ he says
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Lao-Tzu‚ Machiavelli‚ and the American Government Lao-Tzu’s "Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching" and Machiavelli’s "The Qualities of a Prince" both have the ultimate goal of making better leaders. The tactics that each writer chooses to present as a guide for the leader are almost opposite of each other. Today’s American government would benefit from a combination of the two extreme ideas. Lao-Tzu’s laissez-faire attitude towards the economy‚ as well as his small scale‚ home defense military is
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Lao Tzu and the “Tao Te Ching” Laozi or Lao Tzu‚ was a mystical philosopher who lived in ancient China. Most scholars believe Lao Tzu was born around 600 B.C.E. However‚ some authorities have him being born about 500 B.C.E. and some‚ question if Lao Tzu was actually a person or just a mythical figure. Generally‚ the majority of scholars believe Lao Tzu to be an actual person being born about 600 B.C.E. in the state of Ch’u‚ now known as the Hunan Province in Southern China according to
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)Compare Lao-tzu’s view of government with of Machiavelli in the next selection. Consider what seem to be the ultimate purposes of government‚ what seem to the obligations of the leader to the people being led‚ and what seems to be the main work of the state. What comparisons can you make between Lao-tzu’s Master and Machiavelli’s Prince. Summary: The writings of Machiavelli and Lao Tzu indicate that they would disagree most strongly on the concept of how a government should run. Machiavelli
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