Thursday, February 11, 2010

Wen Tzu - Verse 148

from Verse One Hundred Forty-Eight
Everyone in the world is your ward if treated well and your enemy if not treated well.
~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
In the context of Verse 148, Lao Tzu is talking about those traits that make people feel close to their leaders. However, if we step back a few feet, I think the argument can be made that each of us is the protector of all.

If we accept the notion that we are each manifestations of the One, then it is incumbent on each of us to treat the world as our ward -- by protecting all we protect ourselves!

If we are kind and respectful of all, then kindness and respect will return to us in equal measure. If we are cruel, intolerant and disrespectful, these too will return to us in kind. In other words, what any of us expects to receive must first be given unrestrained.

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.

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