Category: Philosophy

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    Lao-Tzu’s quotes on personal growth

    Since the popularisation of existentialism by Albert Camus (1913-1960) and Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980), philosophy has focused on the human condition. Thousands of volumes have been written on what it means to be human, the stress derived from self-consciousness, the difficulties in achieving happiness and how to make the best of one’s life. Strangely enough, existentialists…

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    Lao-Tzu’s quotes on success

    There is no historical evidence that Lao-Tzu was materially deprived and, in ancient Taoist writings, I fail to see any praise for poverty, prolonged fasting, or renunciation to pleasure. The Taoist preference for a simple lifestyle does not imply poverty, let alone self-sacrifice for the benefit of a higher goal. Yang-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu confirmed the…

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    Lao-Tzu’s quotes on happiness

    Readers may be surprised to learn that Lao-Tzu did not care about happiness. Neither did Yang-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu. Their philosophy aims at doing what needs to be done in every case, on the assumption that good actions will breed a good outcome and that happiness will ensure as a side effect. For this reason, I…

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    Meaning of Taoism and the Tao Te Ching

    Reason is the meeting point of Eastern and Western thought, philosophy and wisdom. That’s why their best ideas resemble each other, and the worst remain cryptic to the uninitiated. The best wisdom from Buddha, Krishna, Lao-Tzu, and Jesus shows commonalities because it is all based on rationality. What makes Taoism a distinct philosophy, different from…

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    Investments and the Taoist mindset

    When it comes to investing, people always make the same mistakes. In the last twenty centuries, we can see the patterns of error and delusion emerge once and again. There is little change except in the fashions of the day. In Ancient Rome, aristocrats would speculate in agriculture, mining, real estate, and shipping ventures. In…

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    Productivity and the Taoist mindset

    I find it puzzling that people often refer to business software as “productivity apps.” They infer that the mere usage of those software programs will make our tasks faster, less cumbersome and more profitable. Experience has taught us that the opposite is the case. After putting lots of effort into learning to use the software,…

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    The deficiencies of the Taoist mentality

    Unfortunately, Taoist practitioners are not fully up to speed in all areas. If Taoism was a perfect philosophy, it would have spread and conquered the world a long time ago, but that is not the case. Twenty-seven centuries after Lao-Tzu wrote or dictated the Tao Te Ching, Taoism remains a minority point of view. If…

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    Paganism and the Taoist mentality

    Paganism is making a comeback in our century. I see the signs all over the place. There is growing interest in the rituals and beliefs of Ancient Rome and Greece, as well as in those of northern Paganism, whether it’s the Vikings or the Celtic tribes. I must however reject any conflation between Paganism and…

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    Critique of the Taoist mindset

    I can understand why some people detest Taoists. In their eyes, the teachings of Lao-Tzu, Yang-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu are immoral because they do not preach self-sacrifice. Yang-Tzu was adamantly opposed to any sort of self-sacrifice. He viewed each individual’s life as supremely important. Indeed, Taoism is not meant to please people who believe in self-sacrifice.…

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    The Taoist mindset

    I am not exaggerating when I say that the Taoist mindset saves me one hour a day. Actually, it’s more than one hour. The reason is simple. Thanks to the Taoist mindset, I can make fast decisions while other people keep hesitating. The Taoist mindset also helps me to say no right away and steer…