How Does Lao-Tzu's Poetry Affect The History Of Ancient China?

1035 Words5 Pages
Have you ever consider that managing a country is like cooking a little fish. In Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu, who is a famous philosopher in the history of China states that “Governing a large country is like frying a small fish”. Lao-tzu is also the founder of Taoism and the author of Tao Te Ching. He was a high official of the Chinese empire, who left his work and his country in dismay due to the Chou royal’s decline and his philosophy. The philosophy of Lao-tzu through the Tao Te Ching lie in natural, balance, merge, integration of nature and human, as well as all creature’s relations. He considers man and nature create each other in the “Tao”. Man cultivates himself as cultivating the nature. Man and nature are united in essence. Therefore,…show more content…
Each sentence in Tao Te Ching relies not on logical exposition. For example, Lao-tzu states that “ Darkness within darkness. The gateway to understanding ”. There is no direct relation between the darkness and the gateway to understanding. Also each chapter in Tao Te Ching is shorter than other philosophical texts. So, Tao Te Ching comes closer to poetry. Poetry is a considerable format in the history of China. No matter people are happy or sad; they love to compose poetry to express their feelings in ancient China. For that reason, Lao-tzu wrote Tao Te Ching through the form of poetry . He expects more people to read Tao Te Ching and follow the way of the Taoism. In addition, printing technology is not advanced during 6th century BC in China. Bamboo and wooden slip were one of the major media for literacy. However, Bamboo and wooden slip are not for long texts because each strip of wood or bamboo is said to be as long as a chopstick and as wide as two. In such a way, poetry is the most suitable form to write on bamboo and wooden…show more content…
He points out that “Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking. Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power”. In ancient China, the emperor owns the largest power. In that event, the common people always determine that ruling a country is none of their business. In chapter sixty, Lao-tzu shows people that ruling a country is not as complicated as many people think. Even though, not everybody is in a leadership role, Lao-tzu wishes the common people have their own thinking about what is right for them and what kind ruler is worth them to follow. Cooking a small fish is a very common experience in daily life. Thus, using cooking a small fish to be an example, the common people can be easier to understand the way of ruling a country. People suffer in a country with a bad ruler. Tao Te Ching assists people to avoid suffering because it enlarges people’s range of ruling
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  • How Does Lao-Tzu's Poetry Affect The History Of Ancient China?

    1035 Words  | 5 Pages

    managing a country is like cooking a little fish. In Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu, who is a famous philosopher in the history of China states that “Governing a large country is like frying a small fish”. Lao-tzu is also the founder of Taoism and the author of Tao Te Ching. He was a high official of the Chinese empire, who left his work and his country in dismay due to the Chou royal’s decline and his philosophy. The philosophy of Lao-tzu through the Tao Te Ching lie in natural, balance, merge, integration

    Read More

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