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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Wen Tzu - Verse 156, Part II

from Verse One Hundred Fifty-Six
The people are to a ruler as a foundation of a citadel, as the roots of a tree. If the roots are deep, the tree is stable; if the foundation is thick, the building on top is secure.
~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
Abraham Lincoln said much the same thing in a speech from 1858: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." (Jesus said something of this nature before Lincoln!)

When we're divided -- off chasing different desires and cravings -- we don't have the time nor energy to set a strong foundation. We're like a tree with shallow roots; the slightest amount of rain or wind is certain to shake us violently from side to side or to cause us to topple over. More importantly, without solid roots as a foundation, it's impossible to stay centered.

And, in my book, staying centered in life is the key.

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

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