from Verse Sixty-FiveDoing good is not for reputation, but reputation follows it. Reputation does not anticipate profit, but profits winds up there. What is sought may be the same, but the ultimate end is different.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
I don't know about you, but this seems so commonsense to me. If people are honest, straightforward, generous, understanding and just, good things will tend to come your way. It's not because you've laid out a strategy to attain such, but more that you've created the kind of atmosphere that collects positive vibes.For me, the problem with trying to attain a good reputation or reasonable profit is that, if we set these things as our goal, our focus is in the wrong place and that focus is on meeting one or more desires. Too often, when we try to satisfy a desire, we will go to any lengths and, by utilizing ANY strategy, we undermine the very thing we seek to attain.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
a wonder being just is
ReplyDeleteHI R T -
ReplyDeleteI think that for most folks it is about balance - and we all have a uniques internal balance system that requires certain things - for example my neighbor can easily survive in the woods for days on end - me? I wouldn't last a few hours. SOme folks enjoy large circles of friends around them, others tend to one or two - and so too it is true in matters of love, and work, and home and on and on. The extremists will always be out there - taking more than they need and fighting for and or defending at all cost - but I have found that most folks go about their day trying to maintain balance -
Love to you
Gail
peace.....
Gail,
ReplyDeleteYou are more of an optimist than me! While I agree that it's about balance, I don't see too many people practicing it.
Appearing to be something is not the same as being something.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very simple, but is perhaps one of the most profound truths I have yet discovered.
Many people who would like to live a spiritual life, memorize great tracts of writing, repeating them back to their audiences.
Yet somehow, the words they say have failed to change them in any way.
It is not about the words.
Even though the sentence "Appearing to be something is not the same as being something" was made with words, it says it all even though, as you aptly point out, "it's not about the words." ; )
ReplyDelete