Answer the following question--only ONE!
Q1: Though these poems can be considered philosophical meditations, or even the basis for a kind of religion, what if they were meant for far more practical purposes? Some suggest these poems were meant as a guide for a ruler to keep control of his kingdom--as a kind of political manual. Choosing one of the poems in this section, discuss how it might help a ruler consolidate his power, keep the people happy, win foreign wars, and/or quell any potential rebellions.
A few ideas to consider:
* "Between good and evil, how great the difference?"
*"Bowed down then preserved"
* To use words but rarely is to be natural"
* He who boasts will not endure"
* "That which goes against the way will come to an early end"
* "If you would have a thing shrink, you must first stretch it"
Verse number 22 -
ReplyDeleteThe Sage embraces the One and is a model for the empire: It seem to be saying that the leader must lead by example, and then it outlines the example - he is conspicuous when he doesn't show off; he's illustrious when he doesn't assume that he is always right; he has merit when he doesn't brag; his accomplishments endure because he does not boast… All of these seem to be methods for a ruler (or Sage) to lead by example while also keeping themselves apart from their constituents - it seems to be saying, this is how you keep people happy without them knowing that you are keeping people happy. The next part that the verse advises a leader how to quell potential unruliness: Don't contend so that no one can contend with you - this seems to mean, don't compete or someone will compete against you. Competition with a ruler, of course, could be construed as potential rebellion or coup-like behavior. It seems to be saying for the ruler not to put himself on the level with people who might wish to topple him.
As this relates to other verses, the message seems to be, "Stay shadowy" - maintain your presence as an image no one can quite pin down or see clearly.
Great response: if people don't know who you are, they will color you with their own hopes and desires. However, if you have too public a face, they can no longer imagine you as they want--you become one thing, one definition, and are much easier to hate and overthrow. It's like a character in a book: we can imagine him or her however we like, but when we see the movie that's who they are--that actor, forever. That's why people usually say "the book is better!"
DeleteJoshua Willis
ReplyDeleteMFW 10am
These works to me have always seemed intended for rulers. Though not in a literal sense. The intended audience seems to be people in charge generally speaking. The head of the household, the manager of a business, the ruler of a town, and yes, the all the way up to emperors ect ect. I feel these works do this as a method to affect the greatest change, go right for the source so to speak. Furthermore, the educated people under the ruler will potentially have expectations for how they should be treated by these works and others like it.
When we look at the "That which goes against the way will come to an early end" (and possibly other lines like it), we seen clearly that these lines are ambiguous in their intended audience.
Yes, great response--we're all "rulers" of our households or even our own bodies/minds. In that sense, we all risk becoming tyrants and despots and enslaving our mind to our senses without following a larger 'way.' And those who live to much for their senses literally can come to a bad end--and a quick end, too!
DeletePoem XXX(30)
ReplyDeleteActions are great and all, but when you have an army and restrain from using it to fix a problem, that could speak volumes louder than what you could think. Inside this poem, it talks about "One who assists the ruler of men by means of the way does not intimidate the empire by a show of arms." meaning that if you do something other than intimidate, you show how big of a man (or woman) you are. To show you can restrain your army and fix conflicts through other means shows that you can be a great leader of more than an army.
Great response...the greatest warriors don't need to show off their skills wastefully. They merely use it when it's absolutely necessary. People who show off aren't entirely sure of their mastery, so they want to announce it in the hopes that people will get the message and pry no further.
DeletePoem 24 of Tao Te Ching discusses how a ruler might consolidate his power, keep the people happy, win foreign wars, and quell any potential rebellions. Poem 24 talks about bragging and self-appraisal. No one likes a wise guy or someone who is full of themselves. As a king, being humble and not constantly on your high horse is a good way to earn respect from people and it's also a good way to keep people from rebelling against you. Not boasting can't really help you win wars physically but it can prevent them from even happening in the first place. Being a submissive king will keep you on the throne longer than being a cocky king will.
ReplyDeleteYes, great point--if you have the perspective of boasting and arrogance, you will become involved in endless wars--one of which will ultimately defeat you and your empire. Better by far to take the "weaker" path and only fight when necessary.
Deletepoem XXXII
ReplyDeleteI like this poem because i feel like it represents strength and power. in the poem it says “he who overcomes himself is strong” it’s like he is saying the mind is the hardest thing to overcome, it’s not easy to overcome things that you go through. where it say “ he who lives out his days has had a long life” saying he living everyday like it could be his last. throughout the poem it seems to me that this guy is someone people would look up to and a role model as it take strength to be so at one with life.
chloe wigington
Good response--the mind is the greatest barrier (and the senses) to finding true happiness, according to this book.
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