Thursday, June 9, 2011

Tao Te Ching Chapter 76-8 Karoshi / Snapped branch


Today's Tao

A strong branch of a tree will surely be snapped. (Ch.76)


Don't work too hard.

Do you know a Japanese expression "Karoshi 過労死"?

It means "death from overwork".

Diligent, industrious, tireless.

All these adjectives once had the status as a national motto in post-war Japan.

The Japanese worked hard, as hard as possible until their lives were suddenly "snapped".

They had worked a lot to buy a Toyota Corolla or a Sony Walkman.

Then, they realized they had got no time to use it.

Some were lucky enough to listen to the music with a Walkman in the train.

Others were too tired to stay awake even while standing there.

Most car owners simply enjoyed washing theirs.

A day trip?

Out of question!

Lao Tzu's «Tao Te Ching» has been one of the "must read" study materials for more than one thousand years in Japan.

Did we really learn what Lao Tzu is saying in the book?

Do you?


«Related Articles»
-Soft life 76-1
-Hard end 76-2
-Fragile life 76-3
-Dry end 76-4
-Mujoseppo = non-living preach / Hard and Strong 76-5
-Soft and weak men 76-6
-Strong army, no win 76-7
-Karoshi / Snapped branch 76-8
-Hossho stays low 76-9
-Hoben gate / Soft and Weak 76-10
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 76


Tao answers your question!



☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (8) / -Dark Depth 玄 [gen]- Let's see how they translate 玄之又玄衆妙之門 in Chapter 1. / "the mystery of mysteries; the door through which have issued, on to the scene of the universe, all of the marvels which it contains." On the left, «Tao-Te-Ching» translated by Derek Bryce and Leon Wieger. / "The secret of secrets, the gate of all mysteries." On the right, «Tao Te Ching: The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained» translated by Stefan Stenudd.

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