The Way and the Name
Laozi and Confucius, the two answers of classical China — the stillness of water and the rectitude of duty — with Sun Tzu as the counterpoint of the world as it is.
Day 1 of 7
“The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name.”
— Laozi, The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics
Day 2 of 7
“Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear.”
— Laozi, The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics
Day 3 of 7
“When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it... this is knowledge.”
— Confucius, The Analects (from the Chinese Classics)
Day 4 of 7
“To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.”
— Confucius, The Analects (from the Chinese Classics)
Day 5 of 7
“Warfare is based on deception.”
— Sun Tzu, 孫子兵法
Day 6 of 7
“Men are so simple, and so subject to present necessities, that he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.”
— Machiavelli, The Prince
Day 7 of 7
“Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.”
— Confucius, The Analects (from the Chinese Classics)