Long time readers will know that the site’s homepage features rotating quotations with libertarian themes. And I’m always looking for new quotations to add to the list. Perhaps, then, I should not be surprised to eventually run across Tao Te Ching, or roughly The Book of the Way and its Virtue. After reading for myself several translations of this section, I find myself shocked that the book isn’t banned in China.
Consider the completely libertarian theme in Chapter 57.
If you want to be a great leader,
you must learn to follow the Tao.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts,
and the world will govern itself.The more prohibitions you have,
the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have,
the less secure people will be.
The more subsidies you have,
the less self-reliant people will be.Therefore the Master says:
I let go of the law,
and people become honest.
I let go of economics,
and people become prosperous.
I let go of religion,
and people become serene.
I let go of all desire for the common good,
and the good becomes common as grass. — Tao Te Ching
Those of you on the right and on the left should heed these words well.
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Michael Salzer
Jun 06, 2006
Lao Tsu has a socialist side as well:
“Above all, do not compete.”
Deep sixes the whole idea of a free market, doesn’t it?
Michael Hampton
Jun 06, 2006
I’ve seen a variety of translations for that bit, for instance:
Don’t attribute to the author the biases of the translator.
Nikhil Rao
Jun 06, 2006
good find
Charles Stricklin
Jun 07, 2006
Obviously, you must be one of them Chinese-lovin’ Communists!
susan28
Jun 07, 2006
you don’t have to compete to shine; the more you try the less you flow;i never compare or compete with other dj’s, that’s what makes me an original, and that’s makes me special.. and sought-after. i’ll spin for free if the party’s a benefit, otherwise i want to be paid my fair share. if i did it for the money i wouldn’t be an artist, but nor will i let myself be exploited.
Anonymous
Feb 14, 2008
. . . . the blog that can be written is not the tru blog . . .