Laozi

Laozi in 30 Pages

One page at a time, from “the Dao that can be spoken” to “the more you give, the more you have”: the five thousand words, read for daily life.

Start with page one

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Laozi's three treasures

Compassion (慈)Care for people and things as a mother cares for her children. From that care comes courage.
Frugality (俭)Treasure what you have; want less. From frugality comes room to spare.
Not rushing to be first (不敢为天下先)Don't compete, stay behind, give way, and you become the one others follow.

I · Facing a World in DisorderWhen values and meaning both wobble, what can we stand on?

01The Dao That Can Be Spoken 02When Everyone Knows Beauty 03Five Colours Blind the Eye 04Heaven and Earth Play No Favourites 05Repay Resentment with Virtue 06Know When It Is Enough 07Knowing Yourself Is Clarity

II · What the Dao MeansWhere all things come from and return to

08Something Formed in Chaos 09The Dao Gives Rise to One 10Returning Is How the Dao Moves 11Empty to the Utmost, Still to the Core 12The Dao Gives Life, Virtue Nurtures 13Thirty Spokes, One Hub 14Startled by Praise and Blame 15The Highest Good Is Like Water

III · The Sage Acts Without ContrivanceNon-action is not doing nothing; it is doing without forcing

16The Best Leader Is Barely Noticed 17Give Life Without Possessing 18A Journey of a Thousand Li 19Bend and Be Whole 20The Soft and Supple Belong to Life 21Each Day, a Little Less 22Like Cooking a Small Fish 23Great Vessels Take Long to Finish

IV · Three Treasures to Live ByCompassion, frugality, not rushing to be first

24I Have Three Treasures 25Making the People's Heart One's Own 26No One Is Thrown Away 27Enough Is Always Enough 28Like Stringing a Bow 29Why Rivers Run to the Sea 30The More You Give, the More You Have