How to sustain your current success? Lao Zi in DaoDeJing 22 gives 8 keys. It is easier to summarize them into one word - Humility for ease of recall. But knowing the details of the 8 pointers are keys. Here is the mind-map.
We can apply Lao Zi's teaching to my nation of Singapore. Few will disagree that Singapore is successful. But the cracks are showing. The leadership and the people must take heed to work together as before when we build the nation. Let's learn from Lao Zi.
The text and translation：
Some people say that success is hard but sustaining it is even harder. So it is a popular saying that wealth does not last through three generations. There are a few studies to support that saying. In fact, many do not even last through the 2nd generation.曲则全，枉则直，
Be bentable to be completely shaped. Be twistable to be straightened.
洼则盈，敝则新，
Be hollow so as to be filled. Covered so as to sprout new.
少则得，多则惑。
Demand less and gain. Seeking for too much and be tempted.
是以圣人抱一为天下式，
Hence, the sage hold on to this principle of humility as way of Heaven.
不自见故明，
Not seeing oneself only and hence see clearly (unbiased)
不自是故彰，
Not insisting one is right and hence gain the honor
不自伐故有功，
Not fighting for credit and hence gain the rewards
不自矜故长。
Not boastful and hence last long.
夫唯不争，故天下莫能与之争。
Because one fight not, hence no one is able to fight with him.
古之所谓曲则全者，岂虚言哉？
The ancient saying of bendable makes for completeness, is the vain talk?
诚全而归之。
True wholeness can only be achieved by following the saying.
The 8 keys are also the attributes of a lasting virtue called humility. There are other lasting virtues like love, joy, and peace. But the high-level and high-sounding terms like humility and love are easily misunderstood. Many people have different definitions for them. The 8 keys do provide the details to explain humility in a better light and also give us the how-to for applications to create sustainable success.
Go through the 8 keys and list down what actions you can take to sustain your success. Otherwise, recovering from failure will be a tougher job.
Lim Liat (c) 21 June 2014
Previous:The Big Bang Theory, DNA and Lao Zi's Dao in DaoDeJing 21
Next:Going against the Law of Entropy to build Lastingness by LaoZi in DaoDeJing 23
More:Ancient Chinese Wisdom
No comments:
Post a Comment