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What books should I read while I unplug (submatrix.net)
submitted 10 months ago by to c/books@lemmy.world
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[–] 3 points 10 months ago (1 child)

道德经/老子 (Tao Te Ching in the common, but dated, latinization). It's the perfect thing to read when you're not distracted by microscopic online sound bites. Get two translations so you can get how differently it's viewed by people outside the culture.

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  • [–] 2 points 5 months ago*

    Dope... I love this shit.

    Chapter 57 Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu. The Taoist Classic by Lao Tzu

    Use justice to rule a country.

    Use surprise to wage war.

    Use non-action to govern the world.

    How do I know it is so?

    As for the world,

    The more restrictions and prohibitions there are,

    The poorer the people will be.

    The more sharp weapons people have in a country,

    The bigger the disorder will be.

    The more clever and cunning people are,

    The stranger the events will be.

    The more laws and commands there are,

    The more thieves and robbers there will be.

    Therefore the sage says:

    I do not act,

    And people become reformed by themselves.

    I am at peace,

    And people become fair by themselves.

    I do not interfere,

    And people become rich by themselves.

    I have no desire to desire,

    And people become like the uncarved wood by themselves.

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