Author Archives: treddell

The wise use of caution will keep you alive. One is the way to death, and the other is the way to preserve your life. Who can understand the workings of Heaven? The Tao of the universe does not compete, yet wins; does not speak, yet responds; does not command, yet is obeyed; and does […]

When people become overly bold, then disaster will soon arrive. Do not meddle with people’s livelihoods; if you respect them, they will in turn respect you. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won’t be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn. <- Previous || Next->

Not-knowing is true knowledge. Presuming to know is a disease. First realize that you are sick; then you can move toward health. The Master is her own physician. She has healed herself of all knowing. Thus she is truly whole. <- Previous || Next->

My teachings are easy to understand and easy to put into practice. Yet your intellect will never grasp them, and if you try to practice them, you’ll fail. My teachings are older than the world. How can you grasp their meaning? If you want to know me, look inside your heart. <- Previous || Next->

The generals have a saying:Rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see,Rather than advance an inch it is better to retreat a yard.This is called going forward without advancing, pushing back without using weapons.There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy.Underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil.Thus […]

The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of his enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people. All of the embody the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don’t love to compete, but they do it in the […]

Some say that my teaching is nonsense. Others call it lofty but impractical. But to those who have looked inside themselves, this nonsense makes perfect sense. And to those who put it into practice, this loftiness has roots that go deep. I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your […]

All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them. The Master is above the people, and no one feels […]

The ancient Masters didn’t try to educate the people, but kindly taught them to not-know. When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don’t know, people can find their own way. If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich. The […]

What is rooted is easy to nourish.What is recent is easy to correct.What is brittle is easy to break.What is small is easy to scatter.Prevent trouble before it arises.Put things in order before they exist.The giant pine tree grows from a tiny sprout.The journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet.Rushing into action, […]