1、 NAME ?Name：Li Er （李耳）；Li Dan （李聃）Courtesy name：Bo Yang （伯陽）史記卷063老子列傳：“老子者，楚苦縣厲鄉曲仁里人也。姓李氏，名耳，字聃，周守藏室之史也?！?：“老子，楚國苦縣厲鄉曲仁里人也。姓李，名耳，字伯陽。一名重耳，外字聃。身長八尺八寸，黃色美眉，長耳大目，廣額疏齒，方口厚唇，日月角懸，鼻有雙柱。周時人，李母懷胎八十一年而生。” TaoismLao zi and TaoismLu Xun said: China roots deep in Taoism. If one wants to comprehend Chinese hist

2、ory and culture, one must comprehend Taoism first. Yin and YangThe Yin/Yang symbol is one of the oldest and best-known life symbols in the world, but few understand its full meaning. It represents one of the most fundamental and profound theories of ancient Taoist philosophy. At its heart are the tw

3、o poles of existence, which are opposite but complementary. The light, white Yang moving up blends into the dark, black Yin moving down. Yin and Yang are dependent opposing forces that flow in a natural cycle, always seeking balance. Though they are opposing, they are not in opposition to one anothe

4、r. As part of the Tao, they are merely two aspects of a single reality. Each contains the seed of the other, which is why we see a black spot of Yin in the white Yang and vice versa. They do not merely replace each other but actually become each other through the constant flow of the universe. The s

5、ymbol is a visual depiction of the intertwined duality of all things in nature, a common theme inTaoism. It is believed to be derived from the Taijitu (Diagram of the Ultimate Power). Yin yang are complementary opposites within a greater whole. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, although yin

6、or yang elements may manifest more strongly in different objects or at different times. Yin yang constantly interacts, never existing in absolute stasis. The concept of yin and yang is often symbolized by various forms of theTaijitusymbol, for which it is probably best known in western cultures. The

7、 nature of yinyangInTaoistphilosophy, yin and yang arise together from an initial quiescence or emptiness (wuji, sometimes symbolized by an empty circle), and continue moving in tandem (雙) untilquiescence（靜止）is reached again. Yin and yang are always opposite and equal qualities. Further, whenever on

8、e quality reaches its peak, it will naturally begin to transform into the opposite quality: for example, grain that reaches its full height in summer (fully yang) will produce seeds and die back in winter (fully yin) in an endless cycle.It is impossible to talk about yin or yang without some referen

9、ce to the opposite, since yin and yang are bound together as parts of a mutual whole (i.e. you cannot have the back of a hand without the front). A way to illustrate this idea is to postulate the notion of a race with only men or only women; this race would disappear in a single generation. Yet,men

10、and women together create new generationsthat allow the race they mutually create (and mutually come from) to survive. The interaction of the two gives birth to things. Yin and yang transform each other: like an undertow（回頭浪） in the ocean, every advance is complemented by a retreat, and every rise t

11、ransforms into a fall. Thus, a seed will sprout from the earth and grow upwards towards the sky an intrinsically yang movement. Then, when it reaches its full potential height, it will fall. 道生一，一生二，二生三，三生萬物。萬物負陰而抱陽，沖氣以為和。 Out of Tao, One is born;Out of One, Two;Out of Two, Three;Out of Three, the c

12、reated universe.The created universe carries the yin at its backand the yang in front;Through the union of the pervading principles itreaches harmony.Philosophical Taoism speaks of a permanent Tao in the way that some Western religions speak of God. The Tao is considered unnamed and unknowable, the

13、essential unifying element of all that is. By shunning every earthly distraction, the Taoist is able to concentrate on life itself. Eventually the hope is to become immortal. Wu-weiWu-wei literally means “non-action,” but it doesnt mean dont ever move. It means to always act in accordance with the D

14、ao, and not to do things that dont “go with the flow.” Water does not flow uphilldoes it? No, it always flows downhillit always finds the path of least resistance, as does a good DaoistWaterWater is the perfect substance according to Daoism. Water always seeks the lowest point and always takes the s

15、hape of any vessel into which it is poured. Water always flows downhill, and it always flows around any obstacle. Water seems to be the weakest substance, but its really the strongest. A steady drip of water can wear away a rock, a stream can create a canyon, a glacier (frozen water) can create a Gr

16、and Canyon, and water in the form of a hurricane or typhoon can erode the very continents away. 上善若水。水善利萬物而不爭 The best of men is like water;Water benefits all thingsAnd does not compete with them.天下之至柔，馳騁天下之至堅。 The softest substance of the worldGoes through the hardest.天下莫柔弱于水，而攻堅強者莫之能勝，以其無以易之。弱之勝強，

17、柔之勝剛，天下莫不知，莫能行。 There is nothing weaker than waterBut none is superior to it in overcoming the hard,For which there is no substitute.That weakness overcomes strengthAnd gentleness overcomes rigidity,No one does not know;No one can put into practice.大成若缺，其用不弊。大盈若沖，其用不窮。 大直若屈，大巧若拙，大辯若訥。躁勝寒，靜勝熱，清靜為天下正。

18、The highest perfection is like imperfection,And its use is never impaired.The greatest abundance seems meager,And its use will never fail. What s most straight appears devious,The greatest skill appears clumsiness;The greatest eloquence seems like stuttering.Movement overcomes cold,(But) keeping sti

19、ll overcomes heat.Who is calm and quiet becomes the guide for the universe. 道生之，德畜之。長之育之，亭之毒之，養之覆之，生而不有，為而不恃，長而不宰，是謂玄德。 Tao gives them birth,Teh (character ) fosters them,Makes them grow, develops them,Gives them a harbor, a place to dwell in peace,Feeds them and shelter them.It gives them birth and

20、 does not own them,Acts (helps) and does not appropriate them,Is superior, and does not control them.- This is the Mystic Virtue. 劉備，字玄德禍兮，福之所倚，福兮，禍之所伏。 孰知其極？其無正。正復為奇，善復為妖。 Disaster is the avenue of fortune,(And) fortune is the concealment for disaster. Who would be able to know its ultimate results

21、?(As it is), there would never be the normal.But the normal would (immediately) revert to the deceitful.江海所以能為百谷王者，以其善下之，故能為百谷王。 How did the great rivers and seas become the Lordsof the ravines? By being good at keeping low.That was how they became Lords of the Ravines.是以圣人欲上民，必以言下之；欲先民，必以身后之。是以圣人居上

22、而民不重，居前而民不害。 Therefore in order to be the chief among the people,One must speak like their inferiors.In order to be foremost among the people,One must walk behind them.Thus it is that the Sage stays above,And the people do not feel his weight;Walks in front, And the people do not wish him harm.善為士者，

23、不武。善戰者，不怒。善勝敵者，不與。善用人者，為之下。是謂不爭之德，是謂用人之力，是謂配天，古之極。The brave soldier is not violent;The good fighter does not lose his temper;The great conqueror does not fight (on small issues);The good user of men places himself below others.- This is the virtue of not-contending,Is called the capacity to use men,

24、Is reaching to the height of beingMated to Heaven, to what was of old. 天之道，不爭而善勝，不言而善應，不召而自來，姍然而善謀。天網恢恢，疏而不失。Heavens Way (Tao) is good at conquest without strife,Rewarding (vice and virtue) without words,Making its appearance without call,Achieving results without obvious design.The heavens net is b

25、road and wide.With big meshes, yet letting nothing slip through. 人之生也柔弱，其死也堅強。草木之生也柔脆，其死也枯槁。故堅強者死之徒，柔弱者生之徒。When man is living, he is tender and weak;At death, he is hard and stiff.When the things and plants are alive, they are soft and supple; When they are dead, they are brittle and dry.Therefore h

26、ardness and stiffness are the companions ofdeath,And softness and gentleness are the companions of life.是以天下樂推而不厭。以其不爭，故天下莫能與之爭。Then the people of the world are glad to uphold him forever.Because he does not contend,No one in the world can contend against him. 將欲歙之，必故張之；將欲弱之，必故強之；將欲廢之，必故興之；將欲取之，必故與之。是謂微明。-He who is to be made to dwindle (in power)Must first be cause