Thick black school

Chapter 42 The Trend of Chinese Academics (11)
Work without giving up, live without having something, do without relying on it, grow without killing (that is, clothing supports all things without being the master), success without dwelling.In addition to the three sentences quoted above, there are two or three sentences in the book that are similar to each other with minor differences.Lao Tzu repeated these sentences three times and four times, and it can be seen that this is the most important point of his philosophy.Where is the essence of these few words?Do you know that a great British philosopher, Mr. Russell, is invited to Beijing to give lectures there every day?Russell admired Lao Tzu's words the most, and used his own philosophy to prove it.He said: "Human instincts have two impulses. One is the impulse to 'possess', and the other is the impulse to 'create'. The impulse to possess is to take certain things as their own. The nature of these things is The limited ones are incompatible. For example, in terms of economic interests, if Party A gets more, Party B, Party B, Party B, Party B, Party B, Party B, Party B, Ding will get a part less. In terms of political power, if Party A gains more part, Party B, Party B, Party B, Party B, Party B, Party B, Party B, Ding Ding will lose part part. This kind of impulse develops , human beings are fighting and killing each other day by day, so this is a bad impulse and should be restrained. The impulse to create is just the opposite of it, it is to create something and make it public. The nature of these things is Infinity is compatible. For example, philosophy, science, literature, art, music, let everyone have their own creations, the more the better, there will be no harm. The person who creates does not intend any benefit for himself , I just pass on all my experience to everyone, and I feel supremely happy. Many people have benefited from him, but they still don’t know why, even he himself doesn’t know why. When this impulse develops, human beings will evolve day by day, so this is good. Impulse should be advocated."

Russell used this philosophy as a basis, saying that Lao Tzu's "not to be born, not to be built, and not to be slaughtered" is the impulse to specifically promote creation.Therefore, Lao Tzu's philosophy is the noblest and most beneficial philosophy for mankind.

I think Russell's explanation is quite right.Lao Tzu also said: "The way of heaven is to make up for what is not enough. The way of man is not the same. The damage is not enough to give more than enough. Skills can make more than enough to serve the world? Only the Tao is based on saints and not relying on success. no place."

If there is more than enough damage and what is not enough is replenished, it refers to the impulse to "create".It is to give all of oneself to help others.Loss is not enough to give more than enough, and it refers to the impulse to "possess", which is to rob others of what they have and return it to themselves.Lao Tzu said: "Who can contribute what he has to the people of the world? It must be a man of righteousness." Lao Tzu wants to reward this spirit of "contributing to mankind", so he uses four sentences at the end of the book as Knot.Said: "Since you think that others have more; you think that you have more to yourself; the way of heaven is beneficial but not harmful; the way of sages is not to fight."

These few sentences are extremely precise and concise.If we develop the instinct of "creation" exclusively, then its result will naturally be completely different from that of "possession".For example, I support others to be the president and military governor, but he does not have my share.I donate my property and houses to others, and I will take as much as I give away.This is the nature of all things that belong to the "possessive impulse".As for the "impulse to create", this is not the case. Laozi, Confucius, and Mozi have given us a lot of knowledge, but he himself has not lost a bit.If you paint a good picture for the public to see, and compose a good music for the public to listen to, many people will benefit from you, and your knowledge will improve because of it, and you will be very happy.Isn't this "If you think that others have more, you will give others more"?Laozi's "doing everything" refers to this category, although it is the same as doing nothing.So it is said: "If you do nothing, everything will be cured."

At the end of the chapter, "do what you want without fighting".I said a lot of "doing without doing" as mentioned above, which means consistency.Ordinary people want to appropriate a thing as "own", so there is "dispute". "No", naturally "no dispute".Laozi also said: "Dead benevolence is for it, but there is nothing to think about it." Han Feizi explained him, saying: "What you can't do when you are born in your heart, you don't want to ask for its reward." ("Jie Lao Pian".) There is no need for reward. The heart is exactly "doing nothing but doing it".What is there to argue about?Lao Tzu saw that people in the world are really pitiful for fighting, so he said: "The way of heaven is good at victory if you don't fight." Because of its goodness, it is good... because it does not compete; so the world cannot compete with it." Can't fight it."

But is there any way to prevent people from "fighting"?The most important thing is to understand the truth of "no".Lao Tzu said: "The sky is long and the earth is long. The reason why the sky and the earth can last long? It is because it does not live on its own, so it can live forever. It is because the sage lives behind his body and lives outside his body, not because of his selflessness!"

Lao Tzu advocates this "selflessness" in order to teach people to break the concept of "everything" and understand the principle of "what is behind you and what you don't care about".That's why Lao Tzu taught people to break the "name" and get rid of the "appearance", and return to the "nameless simplicity".

After listening to Lao Tzu's words, you should think of a famous academic school in modern times.Since Darwin invented the principle of biological evolution, there has been a great revolution in the world of thought.Needless to say, his academic achievements should be recognized.But later he applied the principle of "survival competition, the superior wins the inferior loses" in human sociology, and became the backbone of his thinking, resulting in many abuses.This world war almost wiped out human civilization.Although there are many reasons, Darwin's "power competition" academics cannot but be said to be the main influence.Even in China in recent years, people all over the country have gone crazy in their struggle for power and profit. Although these people don't know much about academics, they often use Yan Youling's translation of "Tianyan Lun" as a "talisman" verbally?It can be seen that academics have the greatest influence on people's hearts.No wonder Mencius said, "Born in one's mind, harms one's government; develops in one's government, harms one's affairs".The reason why Europeans like to study Lao Tzu's philosophy these days is probably a reactionary reaction to this kind of learning!
What Lao Tzu said is "doing nothing without doing nothing", "doing nothing but doing nothing".This kind of scholarship is based on his "naturalism".Laozi thinks that the laws of nature are like this, so he often uses the phenomena of nature as an example.He said: "The way of heaven is beneficial but not harmful." "The way of heaven is good at victory without competing." "The effect of " is very consistent, teach people to learn from him.Among human beings, Laozi thinks that children are relatively similar to the natural state, and we should also learn from him.So it is said: "Concentrating on Qi and making it soft, can it be a baby?" He also said: "I am alone and it is not a sign, just like a baby before a child." It is also said: "All saints are children." But what about the state of children Woolen cloth?Lao Tzu said: "The depth of virtue is comparable to that of a child... The bones are weak and the tendons are soft but firm... The essence is the best... All day long but not arrogant, the harmony is the best."

The advantage of children is that they are innocent and do nothing.Look at him crying with his mouth open all day long, as if there are many sad things, is there any sad things?No, this is "inaction".There is no "sadness", but crying so loudly, this is "doing nothing and doing everything".Honestly, it's a "doing nothing".This "do nothing" is the best.What is the reason for Confucius' "no time to warm up the table" and Mozi's "no breakthrough"?If Confucius and Mozi knew how to make plans, I am afraid that we would not have such precious academic knowledge for research today.So Lao Tzu said: "Everyone has something to do, but I am stubborn and despicable." What he said is: "Others do what they want, but I am like a rock, without any concept of gain or loss." This is where Lao Tzu's strength lies.So he said: "To complement the nature of all things, I dare not do it." He also said: "When the work is done, the people all say that I am natural."

Lao Tzu thought that the state of nature should be like this, and he advocated that "Tao follows nature".So we have to imitate him, so we extrapolate this ideal to politics.Said: "The ancient goodness is the way, not to understand the people, but to be stupid. The people are difficult to govern, because they are wise. Therefore, the thieves of the country are governed by wisdom, and the blessings of the country are not governed by wisdom." He also said: "Small countries The widowed people will make the weapons they have are not used, and the people will not move far away when they are old and dead. Although there are boats, there is nothing to take them on; Eat well, dress well, live comfortably, enjoy customs, neighbors look at each other, chickens and dogs hear each other, and people do not communicate with each other until old age and death."

Let us try to evaluate the value of these two passages. The two sentences "If you don't enlighten the people, you will use them to be stupid" have been criticized by later generations.Because Qin Shihuang and Li Si's "Foolish Head of Guizhou" are all born from this sentence, isn't this Lao Tzu teaching people bad intentions?In fact, why is Lao Tzu like this? He is a person who "does what he doesn't do", why should he fool others?It must be known that he is not only trying to be a fool, but he is also fooling himself. Didn't he say "I am stubborn and despicable" and "I am only like a baby's unborn child"?He thought that the knowledge born from the "differentiation mind" would do more harm than good, so it would be better to donate it.So it is said: "The thieves of the country are governed by wisdom, but the blessings of the country are not governed by wisdom." This clearly means that not only those who are ruled should be stupid, but even those who rule should be stupid.But is he right?Regardless of whether I am right or not, first ask whether it can be done or not.A child can become an adult, but an adult cannot become a child again.There is a way to change human beings from stupidity to wisdom, but there is no way to change human beings from wisdom to stupidity.Now that human beings have knowledge, they can only develop and analyze as much as possible from the aspect of knowledge, so that their knowledge is not wrong, become "true knowledge", and lead them on the right track. This is the nature of human nature. . Only the doctrine of "law of nature" can be implemented.Laozi wants to block knowledge and implement a "policy of obscuring the people". Isn't this against nature?Mencius said: "A grown-up does not lose his innocence." It should be noted that the so-called "be as calm as a baby" can only be achieved by a great man like Lao Tzu. How can it be expected of ordinary people?For example, the paragraph "a small country with few people" can be regarded as Lao Tzu's ideal political utopia.Whether this kind of "utopia" is good is another question, but if there is any way to make it appear, if "the people are all stupid" is the first condition, imagine if this is achievable?So Sima Qian quoted this paragraph, and then refuted him.Said: "I don't know before Shennong. As stated in the poems and books, since Yu Xia, the ears and eyes are eager to be extremely sensual, and the mouth is eager to eat the taste of grass. The body is comfortable and happy, but the heart is proud of the glory of the power, and the vulgarity gradually It’s been a long time! Even though it’s said that it’s a theory, it can’t be transformed.” ("Historical Records Huozhi Biography".) This means that Lao Tzu’s ideal can never be realized, and the refutation is the most pertinent.This is the fundamental reason why Lao Tzu's "political theory" failed.Not counting as a failure, but let the future generations of rebellious officials and thieves steal his philosophy as a talisman of autocracy, which is beyond my expectation.

Many "political theories" in Laozi's philosophy are committed to this kind of problem.Therefore, future generations will not be able to use him.However, these are all "technical" mistakes, not "reasonable" mistakes.Principles such as "no existence" and "no dispute" are always beneficial to the community and should always be implemented.But the method of promotion should be based on knowledge.The more expanded and refined the knowledge, the more naturally the truth can be practiced.Lao Tzu wants people to destroy their knowledge and get in touch with the truth, but the result may be counterproductive!
The two most important words of Lao Tzu in teaching people to study hard are "the more you learn, the more you lose your way."

He meant to say: "If it is for the sake of knowledge, you should add something to it every day. If it is for the sake of cultivating your body and mind, you should gradually reduce all external factors." Where is the basis for this theory?He said: "The five colors blind the eyes; the five sounds refresh the ears; galloping and hunting make the heart mad; hard-to-find goods make people hinder."

Is this sentence correct?I say this is absolutely right.Let me give you an example: thousands of years have passed since our ancestors lit an oil lamp and two lamp grasses at night.Recently, kerosene lamps have gradually been used, and electric lights have gradually been used. The electric lights with a dozen candles have been increased to dozens and hundreds, and the electric lights on the street signs have gradually become more colorful.Gradually and flickeringly flickering there, these are the reasons why our vision is gradually blunt, and it is also the result of our blunt vision.At the beginning, because of the bright lights, I used my eyesight indiscriminately, and gradually it was exhausted.After getting used to the lights, you can't see them unless they are still bright. After a while, the normal lights are no longer enough, and you need to brighten them up.Plus-plus-plus-plus to no end.In short, because after the vision is blunted, his instinct cannot be activated unless the stimulation is doubled.The more stimulating the more blunt, the more blunt the more stimulating, the cause and the result are mutually cyclical.If it continues as usual, after several generations of inheritance, it must be "blinding".In addition, the five sounds and five tastes are all the same.Recently, Europeans and Americans suffer from the so-called "civilization diseases" such as neurasthenia and stomach problems, which increase every year.Tobacco and alcohol and other narcotic and exciting products are widely used on a daily basis due to its stimulating effect.Literature, art, and music are also the more stimulating and popular, but they are nothing more than the echo of nervous fatigue.The more stimulating, the more fatigue, just like people who eat chili and opium, the more they eat, the more they eat.So some people say that this is a sick social state, a sign of the collapse of civilization.Although it is exaggerated, it cannot be regarded as containing a grain of truth.Lao Tzu wants to prevent this kind of disease, so he advocates the principle of "daily loss".For example: "There is no such thing as being stingy in governing personnel and affairs."

Han Feizi explained the word "sting" best.He said: "If you see too much, you will lose your eyesight, if you listen too much, your ears will become deaf, and if you think too much, your intelligence will be confused...Those who are stingy love their spirit, and they are stingy with their knowledge... People use their gods to be impatient, and if they are impatient, they will be more. Expenses; more expenses are considered extravagant. A sage uses his spirit to be quiet, and if he is quiet, he spends less, and if he spends less, he is stingy... When the spirit is quiet, he will make more, and if he has more, he will count, and then he will be able to control all things."

old story
These words speak volumes of Lao Tzu's spirit.Lao Tzu said "to go too far, to go to extravagance, to go to Thailand", to "see simplicity and simplicity, to be less selfish and few desires", to "to achieve the extreme of emptiness, to keep quiet and honest", all of which teach people to use their energy economically.To give envoys a taste for official ceremonies, in order to gain a clear state of mind.So it is said: "There is no calamity greater than not being content, and no fault is greater than wanting to gain, so contentment is always enough."

All official hobbies are motivated by the impulse to "possess", which is what Lao Tzu calls "desire to obtain".Since you often want to get it, you will naturally not be satisfied. Isn't it just asking for trouble.If you are so confused, can you still do things for the world's human beings?Therefore, Lao Tzu's lesson of "less selfishness and few desires" should not only be viewed from the negative side, but also from the positive side.He also said: "He who knows others is wise, he who knows himself is wise, he who overcomes others is powerful, and he who overcomes himself is strong." The two meanings of self-knowledge and self-victory can be regarded as the introduction to Lao Tzu's "cultivation theory".

Ordinary people often say that "Lao Tzu's philosophy" is "world-weary philosophy". I read a "Tao Te Ching", but I didn't see a word of world-weariness.If he is world-weary, he doesn't need to write these five thousand words.In fact, Lao Tzu is one of the most warm-hearted people!Those who said he was world-weary only saw the word "doing nothing" and missed the words "do nothing".

The most popular words of Laozi’s philosophy are like “Don’t dare to be the first in the world”, “Know the male, keep the female. Be the stream of the world. Know the white, keep the black, be the valley of the world”, “If you want to hide it, you must be solid Zhang Zhi; if you want to be weak, you must strengthen the strong", which is very like teaching people to opportunistically.But as far as Laozi himself is concerned, what chances are there for a character like him who "does not exist, grows but does not kill"?Desirable?However, it cannot be said that he has no fraud in his words, because if he exposes the "scheming" of human beings too much, he will teach Yi Shengmu.

The great merit of Lao Tzu is that he created this systematic philosophy for China.His philosophy, on a large scale, raises many life questions for future generations to study.His outlook on life is extremely noble and extremely applicable.Zhuangzi criticized him, saying: "Consider the essence as the essence, regard the end as rough, and regard the accumulation as insufficient; live alone with the gods... Always be tolerant of things and not cut down on others, it can be described as extreme. Guan Yin is old! You are a real person!" These few words can really be regarded as Lao Tzu's praise!

(End of this chapter)