Lao Tzu for Everyone
Students, Scholars
& Seekers
Peter Gilboy, Ph.D.
Tao
the Way
Line 4 不失其所者久也
Line 5 死不忘者壽也
LESSON 33
Becoming
Wise
The word "wise" is rarely part of our classroom vocabulary today. Becoming wise does not get us a degree, a job, or a promotion. Nor does it help us "fit in" or become influential in the world. In this sense, becoming wise is useless to the ordinary life that is lived in the ordinary way.
A wise person is one who has keen insight into the true nature of things, including himself or herself. Much can be gained by exploring the outer world, but wisdom is not one of them. That is what this lesson is about.
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One who know others
is informed.
One who knows
himself or herself
is wise.
To triumph over others
is to have power.
To triumph over oneself
is to be mighty.
The person who knows
what is enough,
is already wealthy.
The person who
does not waver in this,
has focus.
The person who
does not lose
who they are, endures.
To die, and yet
not forget oneself,
is to live a long life.
. . . . . .