High road is ten feet higher

Author: Qi Xin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: In the vast and profound treasure trove of ancient Chinese cultural thought, Daoist philosophy is an extremely valuable gem, standing alongside Confucianism and Buddhism as the three pillars that have built the grand structure of ancient Chinese intellectual history. As a philosophy that emerged over 200 years ago, Daoist thought could not yet achieve a mature and scientific worldview and methodology. It contains elements of naive dialectics, a strong critique of the old society, old systems, old rituals, old forces, and old traditions, as well as thought such as fatalism and the pursuit of absolute freedom. In line with the principle of absorbing the essence and discarding the dross of ancient cultural heritage, this book selects and includes some fables and stories from the renowned Daoist classics Laozi, Zhuangzi, Liezi, and Baopuzi, all of which embody profound philosophical insights and can inspire readers to reflect on matters of life, health, and self-cultivation, sparking intellectual insights. To aid readers in understanding and appreciating these stories, brief prompts are provided after each story. The wisdom contained in excellent fables is often multi-layered, so the prompts offered here are merely stepping stones to draw out further thoughts, and readers are encouraged to explore deeper meanings based on their own experiences, knowledge, and reflections.