Lao Tzu Foresaw This

As a followup to the previous post re Chris Hedges' prediction that the American empire is at its end, Lao Tzu foresaw this inevitable conclusion thousands of years ago. No, I'm not suggesting that the Taoist sage was akin to Nostradamus; Lao Tzu was merely making some general observations. He wasn't speaking of this or any specific empire -- he merely spoke of all empires who did not follow the way.

Yet, as one reads the simple book, The Tao Te Ching, verse after verse jumps out at the reader. It aptly describes why we find ourselves in this predicament today. To wit,

From Verse Eight
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.
In action, be aware of the time and the season.

From Verse Nine
Better stop short than fill to the brim.
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.

From Verse Twenty-Two
Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.

From Verse Twenty-Four
He who stands on tiptoe is not steady.
He who strides cannot maintain the peace.
He who makes a show is not enlightened.
He who is self-righteous is not respected.
He who boasts achieves nothing.
He who brags will not endure.

The leaders of the American experiment have not heeded these words. In fact, in most cases, they have behaved in an opposite manner. Our day of reckoning is coming and we will reap what our domestic and foreign policies have wrought.