Karen Garofalo has taken many fine photographs of the many kinds of birds that visit our backyard bird feeders and bird bath.
We took care of our daughter's two
brown dogs for a week.
Monday, May 27, 2024
Saturday, May 25, 2024
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, Chapter 64
Dao De Jing, Laozi,
Chapter 64
"What is small is easily held.
What is expected is easily provided for.
What is brittle is easily broken.
What is small is soon dispersed.
Transact your business before it takes shape.
Regulate things before confusion begins.
The tree which fills the arms grew from a tender shoot.
The castle of nine stories was raised on a heap of earth.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Whoever designs only destroys.
Whoever grasps, loses.
The Sage does not act thus, therefore he does no harm.
He does not grasp, and therefore he never loses.
But the common people, in their undertakings, fail on the eve of success.
If they were as prudent at the end as they are at the beginning, there would be no such failures.
Therefore the Sage is only ambitious of what others despise, and sets no value on things difficult to obtain.
He acquires no common learning, but returns to that which people have passed by.
Thus he aims at simple development in all things, and acts without design."
- Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 64
"That which is at rest is easy to be kept hold of,
"His Restfulness is easily maintained.
Events foreseen by him are easily arranged for.
By him weak things are easily bent,
And small things are easily scattered.
He can stop an evil before it comes into existence.
He can keep a twig straight before it becomes crooked.
Behold the girth of this tree!
It grew from a small filament of a stalk.
This tower of nine stories has its base upon a small space on the earth.
The journey of a thousand miles began with a footstep on the ground.
He who makes, unmakes.
He who grasps, lets go.
That is why the self-controlled man by Inner Life can make and by Inner life unmake, by Inner Life can grasp and by Inner Life let go.
Men in business affairs come near perfection, then fail.
If they were as attentive at the end as at the beginning their business would succeed.
That is why the self-controlled man desires to have no wishes; he sets no value upon rare objects; he learns without study; he helps all beings by the outflow of his personality; and he does this without planning to do it."
- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 64
"Things are easier to control while things are quiet.
Things are easier to plan far in advance.
Things break easier while they are still brittle.
Things are easier hid while they are still small.
Prevent problems before they arise.
Take action before things get out of hand.
The tallest tree
begins as a tiny sprout.
The tallest building
starts with one shovel of dirt.
A journey of a thousand miles
starts with a single footstep.
If you rush into action, you will fail.
If you hold on too tight, you will lose your grip.
Therefore the Master lets things take their course
and thus never fails.
She doesn't hold on to things
and never loses them.
By pursing your goals too relentlessly,
you let them slip away.
If you are as concerned about the outcome
as you are about the beginning,
then it is hard to do things wrong.
The master seeks no possessions.
She learns by unlearning,
thus she is able to understand all things.
This gives her the ability to help all of creation."
- Translated by John H. McDonald, 1996, Chapter 64
其安易持.
其未兆易謀.
其脆易泮.
其微易散.
為之於未有.
治之於未亂.
合抱之木, 生於毫末.
九層之臺, 起於累土.
千里之行, 始於足下.
為者敗之.
執者失之.
是以聖人無為故無敗.
無執故無失.
民之從事, 常於幾成而敗之.
慎終如始, 則無敗事.
是以聖人欲不欲, 不貴難得之貨.
學不學, 復衆人之所過, 以輔萬物之自然而不敢為.
- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 64
qi an yi chi.
qi wei zhao yi mou.
qi cui yi pan.
qi wei yi san.
wei zhi yu wei you.
zhi zhi yu wei luan.
he bao zhi mu, sheng yu hao mo.
jiu ceng zhi tai, qi yu lei tu.
qian li zhi xing, shi yu zu xia.
wei zhe bai zhi.
zhi zhe shi zhi.
shi yi sheng ren wu wei gu wu bai.
wu zhi gu wu shi.
min zhi cong shi, chang yu ji cheng er bai zhi.
shen zhong ru shi ze wu bai shi.
shi yi sheng ren yu bu yu, bu gui nan de zhi huo.
xue bu xue, fu zhong ren zhi suo guo, yi fu wan wu zhi zi ran er bu gan wei.
- Hanyu Pinyin Romanization, Daodejing, Chapter 64
"Tackle difficulties when they are easy,
Accomplish great things when they are small.
Handle what is going to be rough
when it is still smooth.
Control what has not yet formed its force.
Deal with a dangerous situation while it is safe.
Manage what is hard while it is soft.
Eliminate what is vicious
before it becomes destructive.
This is called "attending to great things at small beginnings.
A tree so big it can fill the span of a man's arms
grows from a tiny sprout.
A terrace nine stories high
rises from a shovel-full of earth.
A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.
Thus, one of integral virtue
never sets about grandiose things,
yet is able to achieve great things.
Lightly made promises inspire little confidence.
Making light of things at the beginning,
one will meet with failure in the end.
Being prepared for hardship,
one will not be overcome by it.
In handing their affairs, people often ruin them
just as they are on the verge of success.
With heedfulness in the beginning
and all the way through to the end,
nothing is ruined."
- Translation by Hua-Ching Ni, 1979, Chapter 64
The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching and Hua Hu Ching.
"Lo que está en reposo es fácil de retener.
Lo que no ha sucedido es fácil de resolver.
Lo que es frágil es fácil de romper.
Lo que es pequeño es fácil de dispersar.
Prevenir antes de que suceda,
y ordenar antes de que aparezca el desorden.
El árbol que casi no puede rodearse con los brazos,
brotó de una semilla minúscula.
La torre de nueve pisos,
comenzó siendo un montón de tierra.
Un viaje de mil leguas,
comienza con el primer paso.
Al manejar sus asuntos, la gente suele estropearlos
justo al borde de su culminación.
Prestando total atención al principio y con paciencia al final,
nada se echa a perder.
Por eso, el Sabio carece de deseos,
no codicia los bienes de difícil alcance,
aprende a olvidar lo que le habían inculcado.
Le devuelve a los hombres la fluidez que han perdido,
y así, sin dominarlos,
favorece la evolución natural de los diez mil seres."
- Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 64
"That which lies still is easy to hold;
That which is not yet manifest is easy to forestall;
That which is brittle (like ice) easily melts;
That which is minute easily scatters.
Deal with a thing before it is there;
Check disorder before it is rife.
A tree with a full span's girth begins from a tiny sprout;
A nine-storied terrace begins with a clod of earth.
A journey of a thousand li beings at one's feet.
He who acts, spoils;
He who grasps, lets slip.
Because the Sage does not act, he does not spoil,
Because he does not grasp, he does not let slip.
The affairs of men are often spoiled within an ace of
completion.
By being careful at the end as at the beginning
Failure is averted.
Therefore the Sage desires to have no desire,
And values not objects difficult to obtain.
Learns that which is unlearned,
And restores what the multitude have lost.
That he may assist in the course of Nature
And not presume to interfere."
- Translated by Lin Yutang, 1955, Chapter 64
Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching
Taoism: A Selected Reading List
Chapter 64
"What is small is easily held.
What is expected is easily provided for.
What is brittle is easily broken.
What is small is soon dispersed.
Transact your business before it takes shape.
Regulate things before confusion begins.
The tree which fills the arms grew from a tender shoot.
The castle of nine stories was raised on a heap of earth.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Whoever designs only destroys.
Whoever grasps, loses.
The Sage does not act thus, therefore he does no harm.
He does not grasp, and therefore he never loses.
But the common people, in their undertakings, fail on the eve of success.
If they were as prudent at the end as they are at the beginning, there would be no such failures.
Therefore the Sage is only ambitious of what others despise, and sets no value on things difficult to obtain.
He acquires no common learning, but returns to that which people have passed by.
Thus he aims at simple development in all things, and acts without design."
- Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 64
"That which is at rest is easy to be kept hold of,
And what has made no sign, and is
yet concealed from all,
Is easy to be taken care of then
by proper measures,
Break it while it is feeble,
scatter it while it is small.
Act before it exists, regulate
before disorder,
The mighty tree that fills the
arms has grown from a tiny sprout,
From a little mound of earth was
raised the tower of nine stories,
And the journey of a thousand
miles began with the first step out.
He that makes mars, he that grasps
loses;
The sage will neither make, nor
mar, nor grasp, and cannot lose,
But people fail in business, on
the verge of its succeeding,
By losing at the end the care they
first began to use.
And so the sage does not desire
the things desired by others,
He does not prize the treasures
that are difficult to obtain,
He learns what others do not
learn, he turns back to their leavings,
And helps spontaneous nature, but
dares not to constrain."
- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 64
- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 64
Events foreseen by him are easily arranged for.
By him weak things are easily bent,
And small things are easily scattered.
He can stop an evil before it comes into existence.
He can keep a twig straight before it becomes crooked.
Behold the girth of this tree!
It grew from a small filament of a stalk.
This tower of nine stories has its base upon a small space on the earth.
The journey of a thousand miles began with a footstep on the ground.
He who makes, unmakes.
He who grasps, lets go.
That is why the self-controlled man by Inner Life can make and by Inner life unmake, by Inner Life can grasp and by Inner Life let go.
Men in business affairs come near perfection, then fail.
If they were as attentive at the end as at the beginning their business would succeed.
That is why the self-controlled man desires to have no wishes; he sets no value upon rare objects; he learns without study; he helps all beings by the outflow of his personality; and he does this without planning to do it."
- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 64
"Things are easier to control while things are quiet.
Things are easier to plan far in advance.
Things break easier while they are still brittle.
Things are easier hid while they are still small.
Prevent problems before they arise.
Take action before things get out of hand.
The tallest tree
begins as a tiny sprout.
The tallest building
starts with one shovel of dirt.
A journey of a thousand miles
starts with a single footstep.
If you rush into action, you will fail.
If you hold on too tight, you will lose your grip.
Therefore the Master lets things take their course
and thus never fails.
She doesn't hold on to things
and never loses them.
By pursing your goals too relentlessly,
you let them slip away.
If you are as concerned about the outcome
as you are about the beginning,
then it is hard to do things wrong.
The master seeks no possessions.
She learns by unlearning,
thus she is able to understand all things.
This gives her the ability to help all of creation."
- Translated by John H. McDonald, 1996, Chapter 64
其安易持.
其未兆易謀.
其脆易泮.
其微易散.
為之於未有.
治之於未亂.
合抱之木, 生於毫末.
九層之臺, 起於累土.
千里之行, 始於足下.
為者敗之.
執者失之.
是以聖人無為故無敗.
無執故無失.
民之從事, 常於幾成而敗之.
慎終如始, 則無敗事.
是以聖人欲不欲, 不貴難得之貨.
學不學, 復衆人之所過, 以輔萬物之自然而不敢為.
- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 64
qi an yi chi.
qi wei zhao yi mou.
qi cui yi pan.
qi wei yi san.
wei zhi yu wei you.
zhi zhi yu wei luan.
he bao zhi mu, sheng yu hao mo.
jiu ceng zhi tai, qi yu lei tu.
qian li zhi xing, shi yu zu xia.
wei zhe bai zhi.
zhi zhe shi zhi.
shi yi sheng ren wu wei gu wu bai.
wu zhi gu wu shi.
min zhi cong shi, chang yu ji cheng er bai zhi.
shen zhong ru shi ze wu bai shi.
shi yi sheng ren yu bu yu, bu gui nan de zhi huo.
xue bu xue, fu zhong ren zhi suo guo, yi fu wan wu zhi zi ran er bu gan wei.
- Hanyu Pinyin Romanization, Daodejing, Chapter 64
"Tackle difficulties when they are easy,
Accomplish great things when they are small.
Handle what is going to be rough
when it is still smooth.
Control what has not yet formed its force.
Deal with a dangerous situation while it is safe.
Manage what is hard while it is soft.
Eliminate what is vicious
before it becomes destructive.
This is called "attending to great things at small beginnings.
A tree so big it can fill the span of a man's arms
grows from a tiny sprout.
A terrace nine stories high
rises from a shovel-full of earth.
A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.
Thus, one of integral virtue
never sets about grandiose things,
yet is able to achieve great things.
Lightly made promises inspire little confidence.
Making light of things at the beginning,
one will meet with failure in the end.
Being prepared for hardship,
one will not be overcome by it.
In handing their affairs, people often ruin them
just as they are on the verge of success.
With heedfulness in the beginning
and all the way through to the end,
nothing is ruined."
- Translation by Hua-Ching Ni, 1979, Chapter 64
The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching and Hua Hu Ching.
"Lo que está en reposo es fácil de retener.
Lo que no ha sucedido es fácil de resolver.
Lo que es frágil es fácil de romper.
Lo que es pequeño es fácil de dispersar.
Prevenir antes de que suceda,
y ordenar antes de que aparezca el desorden.
El árbol que casi no puede rodearse con los brazos,
brotó de una semilla minúscula.
La torre de nueve pisos,
comenzó siendo un montón de tierra.
Un viaje de mil leguas,
comienza con el primer paso.
Al manejar sus asuntos, la gente suele estropearlos
justo al borde de su culminación.
Prestando total atención al principio y con paciencia al final,
nada se echa a perder.
Por eso, el Sabio carece de deseos,
no codicia los bienes de difícil alcance,
aprende a olvidar lo que le habían inculcado.
Le devuelve a los hombres la fluidez que han perdido,
y así, sin dominarlos,
favorece la evolución natural de los diez mil seres."
- Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 64
"That which lies still is easy to hold;
That which is not yet manifest is easy to forestall;
That which is brittle (like ice) easily melts;
That which is minute easily scatters.
Deal with a thing before it is there;
Check disorder before it is rife.
A tree with a full span's girth begins from a tiny sprout;
A nine-storied terrace begins with a clod of earth.
A journey of a thousand li beings at one's feet.
He who acts, spoils;
He who grasps, lets slip.
Because the Sage does not act, he does not spoil,
Because he does not grasp, he does not let slip.
The affairs of men are often spoiled within an ace of
completion.
By being careful at the end as at the beginning
Failure is averted.
Therefore the Sage desires to have no desire,
And values not objects difficult to obtain.
Learns that which is unlearned,
And restores what the multitude have lost.
That he may assist in the course of Nature
And not presume to interfere."
- Translated by Lin Yutang, 1955, Chapter 64
Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching
Taoism: A Selected Reading List
Friday, May 24, 2024
South Puget Sound Travel Day Three
We both continued to struggle overnight with coughing, sinus pain, tiredness, aches and other cold sypmptoms. We gathered our belongings and left for Vancouver early in the morning.
When we got home we both were feeling quite ill. We tested and found that we both had the COVID 19 Flu virus.
City of Olympia, Washington Images
Weyhauser Rhododendron Garden and Pacific Bonsai Garden
Little Creek Resort and Casino in Kamilche
Squaxin Island Museum, Kamilche
Skokomish Indian Cultural Center
Over the past three decades, Karen and I have stayed overnight, dined and/or played
at numerous Indian Resorts and Casinos in Washington and Oregon:
at numerous Indian Resorts and Casinos in Washington and Oregon:
Little Creek Resort and Casino in Shelton/Kamilche,
Little Skookum Inlet, Totten Inlet, South Puget Sound WA;
Ilani in La Center WA; Wildhorse in Pendelton OR;
Seven Feathers, Canyonville OR; Northern Quest, Spokane, WA:
Legends, Yakima WA; Spirit Mountain, Grand Ronde OR:
Mill, Coos Bay OR; Chinook Winds, Lincoln City OR.
Mill, Coos Bay OR; Chinook Winds, Lincoln City OR.
Thursday, May 23, 2024
South Puget Sound Travel Day Two
Today, we began with breakfast at Bloundie's in Shelton. Drove up to Potlach and Hoodsport along the Hood Canal. Visited the Skokomish Indian Museum and Cultural Center. Drove around the area and enjoyed the scenery. Beautiful clear day at Potlach State Park. I watched 10 people digging for clams.
City of Olympia, Washington Images
Little Creek Resort and Casino in Kamilche
Squaxin Island Museum, Kamilche
Skokomish Indian Cultural Center
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
South Puget Sound Travel Day One
Today Karen and I drove north from Vancouver up to Olympia, Washington. We took a drive around the Olympia City area, enjoyed lunch at Anthony's Homeport Olympia restaurant in the Bud Inlet, a drive around Shelton, a visit the Squaxin Island Museum, Library and Research Center, and then check into our hotel room at the Little Creek Resort and Casino in Kamilche.
Unfortunately, I was under the weather with a cold, sinus pain, coughing, and fatigue. I needed to rest and sleep all afternoon and evening.
City of Olympia, Washington Images
Little Creek Resort and Casino in Kamilche
Squaxin Island Museum, Library, and Research Center, Kamilche
Skokomish Indian Cultural Center
Monday, May 20, 2024
Harmonica Playing
I have owned various harmonicas since my childhood days.
I have enjoyed playing various harmonicas by myself.
I have used various books, CDs, MP3s, charts, and online learing resources to learn
how to play the harmonica.
I now focus for 30 to 60 minutes each day in learning and practicing with a harmonica.
Serious harmonica hobbyists, players, listeners, students, enthusiasts,
learners, and musical pleasure seekers can get OCD about this music.
Purchasing good quality harmonicas in differest Keys, books, CDs, MP3s, online resources, online video instruction (Luke), and paying for a personal harmonica instructor can be costly for serious intermediate harmonica students and lifetime enthusiasts.
Good education and ongoing learning are essential for steady improvement and more fun.
My Musical Mission
Listening to all kinds of music over a lifetime.
Enjoying the pleasures of music over a lifetime.
Seeking positive, uplifiting, spiritual, and mysical experiences via music.
Enjoying playing the harmonica.
Sharing good sounds with others.
Encouraging and supporting musicians.
My Musical Goals
Playing the harmonica daily.
Learning how to play better chords on the harmonica.
Learning how to play harmonica rythmic patterns better.
Listening to harmonica music.
Learning some harmonica musical theory each week.
Learning to interpret standard musical score notation for a harmonica.
Learning how to play easy popular tunes.
My Musical Objectives
May- June 2024
Study The Idiot's Guide to Harmonica Playing for 30 minutes each day.
Attend an online class at Harmonica.com with Luke twice each week.
Playing, Jamming, Learning, and Practicing with various harmonicas:
Hohner Crosover Marine Band Key of C
Seydel Sohne 1847 Key of Low C
Learning how to play 5 simple folk music tunes properly all the way through.
Since January, 2024, I have been using a Hohner Crossover Marine Band Key of C and a Seydel Sohne 1847 Key of Low C for daily practice, learning the chords on the C Key harmonica, learning the hole notes and playing single notes more clearly. Most basic instruction books for the harmonic focus of using a diatonic harmonic in the Key of C.
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Maggie Newman and Tai Chi Chuan
Professor Cheng Man-c'hing performed his 37 Form in around 8 minutes in the video clip we have of him. Ms. Newman slows down the performance in this video clip to nearly 18 minutes.
Maggie Newman performing the Professor Cheng Man-c'hing 37 Movements Tai Chi Chuan Yang Style Form:
Here is a recent photo of Ms. Newman on ther 100th birthday. Congratulations!
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Dao De Jing, Laozi, Chapter 63
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Chapter 63
"Do without "doing."
Get involved without manipulating.
Taste without tasting.
Make the great small,
The many, few.
Respond to anger with virtue.
Deal with difficulties while they are still easy.
Hand the great while it is still small.
The difficult problems in life
Always start off being simple.
Great affairs always start off being small.
Therefore the sage never deals with the great
And is able to actualize his greatness.
Now light words generate little belief,
Much ease turns into much difficulty.
Therefore the sage treats things as though they were difficult,
And hence, never has difficulty."
- Translated by Charles Mueller, 2004, Chapter 63
"It is the way of the Tao to act without thinking of acting;
To conduct affairs without feeling the trouble of them;
To taste without discerning any flavor;
To consider what is small as great, and a few as many;
And to recompense injury with kindness.
The master of it anticipates things that are difficult while they are easy,
And does things that would become great while they are small.
All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a previous state in which they were easy,
And all great things from one in which they were small.
Therefore the sage, while he never does what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest things.
He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little faith;
He who is continually thinking things easy is sure to find them difficult.
Therefore the sage sees difficulty even in what seems easy, and so never has any difficulties."
- Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 63
"Act non-action; undertake no undertaking; taste the tasteless.
The Sage desires the desireless, and prizes no articles that are difficult to get.
He learns no learning, but reviews what others have passed through.
Thus he lets all things develop in their own natural way, and does not venture to act.
Regard the small as the great; regard the few as many.
Manage the difficult while they are easy;
Manage the great while they are small.
All difficult things in the world start from the easy.
All the great things in the world start from the small.
The tree that fills a man's arms arises from a tender shoot.
The nine-storied tower is raised from a heap of earth;
A thousand miles' journey begins from the spot under one's feet.
Therefore the Sage never attempts great things, and thus he can achieve what is great.
He who makes easy promises will seldom keep his word;
He who regards many things as easy will find many difficulties.
Therefore the Sage regards things as difficult, and consequently never has difficulties."
- Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 63
為無為.
事無事.
味無味.
大小多少.
報怨以德.
圖難於其易.
為大於其細.
天下難事必作於易.
天下大事必作於細.
是以聖人終不為大, 故能成其大.
夫輕諾必寡信.
多易必多難.
是以聖人猶難之.
故終無難矣.
- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 63
wei wu we.
shih wu shih.
wei wu wei.
ta hsiao to shao.
pao yüan yi tê.
t'u nan yü ch'i yi.
wei ta yü ch'i hsi.
t'ien hsia nan shih pi tso yü yi.
t'ien hsia ta shih pi tso yü hsi.
shih yi shêng jên chung pu wei ta, ku nêng ch'êng ch'i ta.
fu ch'ing no pi kua hsin.
to yi pi to nan.
shih yi shêng jên yu nan chih.
ku chung wu nan yi.
- Wade-Giles Romanization, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 63
"Do things non-coercively (wuwei),
Be non-interfering in going about your business (wushi),
And savor the flavor of the unadulterated in what you eat.Treat the small as great and the few as many.
Requite enmity with character (de).
Take account of the difficult while it is still easy,
And deal with the large while it is still tiny.
The most difficult things in the world originate with the easy,
And the largest issues originate with the tiny.
Thus, it is because the sages never try to do great things
That they are indeed able to be great.
One who makes promises lightly is sure to have little credibility;
One who finds everything easy is certain to have lots of difficulties.
Thus, it is because even the sages pay careful attention to such things
That they are always free of difficulties."
- Translated by Roger T. Ames and David L Hall, 2003, Chapter 63
Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching
Taoism: A Selected Reading List
Chapter 63
"Do without "doing."
Get involved without manipulating.
Taste without tasting.
Make the great small,
The many, few.
Respond to anger with virtue.
Deal with difficulties while they are still easy.
Hand the great while it is still small.
The difficult problems in life
Always start off being simple.
Great affairs always start off being small.
Therefore the sage never deals with the great
And is able to actualize his greatness.
Now light words generate little belief,
Much ease turns into much difficulty.
Therefore the sage treats things as though they were difficult,
And hence, never has difficulty."
- Translated by Charles Mueller, 2004, Chapter 63
"It is the way of the Tao to act without thinking of acting;
To conduct affairs without feeling the trouble of them;
To taste without discerning any flavor;
To consider what is small as great, and a few as many;
And to recompense injury with kindness.
The master of it anticipates things that are difficult while they are easy,
And does things that would become great while they are small.
All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a previous state in which they were easy,
And all great things from one in which they were small.
Therefore the sage, while he never does what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest things.
He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little faith;
He who is continually thinking things easy is sure to find them difficult.
Therefore the sage sees difficulty even in what seems easy, and so never has any difficulties."
- Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 63
"Act non-action; undertake no undertaking; taste the tasteless.
The Sage desires the desireless, and prizes no articles that are difficult to get.
He learns no learning, but reviews what others have passed through.
Thus he lets all things develop in their own natural way, and does not venture to act.
Regard the small as the great; regard the few as many.
Manage the difficult while they are easy;
Manage the great while they are small.
All difficult things in the world start from the easy.
All the great things in the world start from the small.
The tree that fills a man's arms arises from a tender shoot.
The nine-storied tower is raised from a heap of earth;
A thousand miles' journey begins from the spot under one's feet.
Therefore the Sage never attempts great things, and thus he can achieve what is great.
He who makes easy promises will seldom keep his word;
He who regards many things as easy will find many difficulties.
Therefore the Sage regards things as difficult, and consequently never has difficulties."
- Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 63
為無為.
事無事.
味無味.
大小多少.
報怨以德.
圖難於其易.
為大於其細.
天下難事必作於易.
天下大事必作於細.
是以聖人終不為大, 故能成其大.
夫輕諾必寡信.
多易必多難.
是以聖人猶難之.
故終無難矣.
- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 63
wei wu we.
shih wu shih.
wei wu wei.
ta hsiao to shao.
pao yüan yi tê.
t'u nan yü ch'i yi.
wei ta yü ch'i hsi.
t'ien hsia nan shih pi tso yü yi.
t'ien hsia ta shih pi tso yü hsi.
shih yi shêng jên chung pu wei ta, ku nêng ch'êng ch'i ta.
fu ch'ing no pi kua hsin.
to yi pi to nan.
shih yi shêng jên yu nan chih.
ku chung wu nan yi.
- Wade-Giles Romanization, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 63
"Act the non-acting, let dealing go
on without dealings,
In the tasteless find taste, let
the great in the little be known,
Find in the few that therein are
embodied the many,
And recompense hatred with deeds
of goodness alone.
Consider what may become
difficult, while it is easy,
Manage the great, by taking it
while it is small,
From the easy arise all the
difficult things under heaven,
And affairs that are great their
source in the little recall.
So the sage, not acting the great,
the great will accomplish,
Who promises lightly lacks truth,
and they who believe
Many things to be easy will find
many hard, while the sage
With the difficult, even, finds
nothing too hard to achieve."
- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 63
- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 63
"Actuar y no actuar,
realizar y no realizar,
sabroso e insípido,
grande y pequeño,
mucho y poco,
en todo rige la virtud.
Acomete la dificultad por su lado más fácil.
Ejecuta lo grande comenzando por lo más pequeño.
Las cosas más difíciles se hacen siempre abordándolas
en lo que es más fácil,
y las cosas grandes en lo que es más pequeño.
Por eso el sabio nunca realiza cosas grandes,
y así es como puede llevar a cabo grandes cosas.
El que promete a la ligera,
no cumple con su promesa.
El que todo lo encuentra fácil,
hallará la vida difícil.
Por eso, el sabio en todo considera la dificultad,
y en nada la halla."
- Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 63
realizar y no realizar,
sabroso e insípido,
grande y pequeño,
mucho y poco,
en todo rige la virtud.
Acomete la dificultad por su lado más fácil.
Ejecuta lo grande comenzando por lo más pequeño.
Las cosas más difíciles se hacen siempre abordándolas
en lo que es más fácil,
y las cosas grandes en lo que es más pequeño.
Por eso el sabio nunca realiza cosas grandes,
y así es como puede llevar a cabo grandes cosas.
El que promete a la ligera,
no cumple con su promesa.
El que todo lo encuentra fácil,
hallará la vida difícil.
Por eso, el sabio en todo considera la dificultad,
y en nada la halla."
- Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 63
Be non-interfering in going about your business (wushi),
And savor the flavor of the unadulterated in what you eat.Treat the small as great and the few as many.
Requite enmity with character (de).
Take account of the difficult while it is still easy,
And deal with the large while it is still tiny.
The most difficult things in the world originate with the easy,
And the largest issues originate with the tiny.
Thus, it is because the sages never try to do great things
That they are indeed able to be great.
One who makes promises lightly is sure to have little credibility;
One who finds everything easy is certain to have lots of difficulties.
Thus, it is because even the sages pay careful attention to such things
That they are always free of difficulties."
- Translated by Roger T. Ames and David L Hall, 2003, Chapter 63
Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching
Taoism: A Selected Reading List
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Ten Golden Rules
Ten Golden Rules for Living the Good Life
“1. Examine life, engage life with vengeance; always search for new pleasures and new destines to reach with your mind.
2. Worry only about the things that are in your control, the things that can be influenced and changed by your actions, not about the things that are beyond your capacity to direct or alter.
3. Treasure Friendship, the reciprocal attachment that fills the need for affiliation. Friendship cannot be acquired in the market place, but must be nurtured and treasured in relations imbued with trust and amity.
4. Experience True Pleasure. Avoid shallow and transient pleasures. Keep your life simple. Seek calming pleasures that contribute to peace of mind. True pleasure is disciplined and restrained.
5. Master Yourself. Resist any external force that might delimit thought and action; stop deceiving yourself, believing only what is personally useful and convenient; complete liberty necessitates a struggle within, a battle to subdue negative psychological and spiritual forces that preclude a healthy existence; self mastery requires ruthless cador.
6. Avoid Excess. Live life in harmony and balance. Avoid excesses. Even good things, pursued or attained without moderation, can become a source of misery and suffering.
7. Be a Responsible Human Being. Approach yourself with honesty and thoroughness; maintain a kind of spiritual hygiene; stop the blame-shifting for your errors and shortcomings.
8. Don’t Be a Prosperous Fool. Prosperity by itself, is not a cure-all against an ill-led life, and may be a source of dangerous foolishness. Money is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the good life, for happiness and wisdom.
9. Don’t Do Evil to Others. Evildoing is a dangerous habit, a kind of reflex too quickly resorted to and too easily justified that has a lasting and damaging effect upon the quest for the good life. Harming others claims two victims—the receiver of the harm, and the victimizer, the one who does harm.
10. Kindness towards others tends to be rewarded. Kindness to others is a good habit that supports and reinforces the quest for the good life. Helping others bestows a sense of satisfaction that has two beneficiaries—the beneficiary, the receiver of the help, and the benefactor, the one who provides the help.”
- By M. A. Soupious and Panos Mourdoukoutas, The Ten Golden Rules: Ancient Wisdom from the Greek Philosophers on Living the Good Life, 2009.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Are Things as Such as They Are?
"If you understand, things are such as they are;
If you don't understand, things are such as they are."|
- Zen Master Gensha
If you don't understand, things are changing.
If you understand, things are changing.
Impermanence is the permanent condition.
- Mike Garofalo, Cuttings
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Hail to the Mothers
Happy Mother's Day to All the Mothers in the World
Past, Present, and Future
Past, Present, and Future
The following picture was taken in 1977. From left to right: Karen Eubanks Garofalo (my wife) , Alicia June Garofalo (my daughter) , and Bertha June Garofalo (my mother). My mother was born in 1921 and died in 1994.
The following photograph was taken in 2012. From left to right: Katelyn Alice Flinn (my grandaughter), Alicia June Garofalo Flinn, and Katelyn Alice Flinn (my granddaughter).
Rock Me Mamma
I think the lyrics for the country western song titled Wagon Wheel was written by Ketch Secor of the Old Crow Medicine Show Band and Bob Dylan.
Here is an campy adult version of Wagon Wheel by the Old Crow Medicine Show.
Here is a version of Wagon Wheel by Darious Rucker:
Friday, May 10, 2024
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, Chapter 62
Dao De Jing, Laozi
Chapter 62
"Tao is the secret guardian of all things.
It enriches the good man and portends the evildoer.
Its counsel is always in season; its benevolence is always in demand.
Even those who are not good it does not forsake.
Therefore, when the Emperor takes his throne and appoints his nobles, he who comes before him bearing the insignia of a prince and escorted by a mounted retinue is not to be compared with one who humbly presents this Tao.
For why did the ancients hold it in such esteem?
Was it not because it could be had without much seeking, and because by means of it man might escape from sin?
For this it was esteemed the greatest thing in the world."
- Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 62
"Tao is the source of all things, the treasure of good men, and the sustainer of bad men.
Therefore at the enthronement of an emperor and the appointment of the three ministers, better still than those who present jewels followed by horses, is the one who sitting presents propounds this Tao.
Why did the ancients prize this Tao?
Was it not because it could be attained by seeking and thus the sinners could be freed?
For this reason, it has become the most valuable thing in the world.
Good words will procure one honour; good deeds will get one credit."
- Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 62
"He who has the Tao is the refuge of all beings.
He is the treasure of the good man,
He is the support of the man who is not good.
Beautiful words through Tao gain power,
Man, by following it gains steadfastness in action,
But, by the evil man, its possession is ignored.
The Son of Heaven sits enthroned,
His three Ministers are appointed.
One carries inj his hand a tablet of jade:
Another is followed by a mounted retinue,
But the one who is most values sits quietly, and offers as his gift this Tao.
How was the Tao prized by men of Old?
Daily they sought for it.
They found it, hid within the Self.
It gives a way of escape to the guilty.
Therefore it is prized by all men."
- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 62
"El Tao es el Depósito oculto de todas las cosas.
Es un tesoro para la persona honrada, es una salvaguardia del error.
Una buena palabra encontrará su propio mercado.
Una buena obra puede servir como regalo para otro.
Que un hombre haya errado el buen camino no es razón pra ser apartado.
Por ello, en la Entronización de un Emperador, o en el nobramiento de tres ministros,
deja a los demás ofrecer sus discos de jade, precediendo a sus cuadrillas de caballos.
Es mejor para ti ofrecer el Tao sin mover los pies.
Por qué los antiquos apreciaban el Tao?
No es porque, en virtud del mismo, el que busca encuentra, y la culpa es olvidada?
Por esto es un tesoro inigualable para el mundo."
- Translated into Spanish by Alfonso Colodrón from the John C. H. Wu English translation, 1993, Capítulo 62
"The Way is the myriad creatures’ refuge.
It is that which the good extend,
And that which defends the bad.
Eloquent words can win promotion.
Eloquent actions can elevate.
Even if a person is bad, should one reject them?
When the ruler is installed
And the three great ministers appointed,
Though jade disks
And four-horse teams are offered,
It’s better to grant the gift of the Way
Without stirring from one’s place.
Why was the Way valued of old?
Was it not said it brought achievement,
And mitigated the punishment of the guilty.
So it was prized by the realm."
- Translated by A.S. Kline, 2003, Chapter 62
Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching
Taoism: A Selected Reading List
Chapter 62
"Tao is the secret guardian of all things.
It enriches the good man and portends the evildoer.
Its counsel is always in season; its benevolence is always in demand.
Even those who are not good it does not forsake.
Therefore, when the Emperor takes his throne and appoints his nobles, he who comes before him bearing the insignia of a prince and escorted by a mounted retinue is not to be compared with one who humbly presents this Tao.
For why did the ancients hold it in such esteem?
Was it not because it could be had without much seeking, and because by means of it man might escape from sin?
For this it was esteemed the greatest thing in the world."
- Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 62
"Tao is the source of all things, the treasure of good men, and the sustainer of bad men.
Therefore at the enthronement of an emperor and the appointment of the three ministers, better still than those who present jewels followed by horses, is the one who sitting presents propounds this Tao.
Why did the ancients prize this Tao?
Was it not because it could be attained by seeking and thus the sinners could be freed?
For this reason, it has become the most valuable thing in the world.
Good words will procure one honour; good deeds will get one credit."
- Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 62
"Tao is the hidden refuge of all
things,
To the good man his richest
treasure brings,
And to the bad in guardianship it
clings.
Its beautiful words buy honor by
their use,
Its noble deeds lift people from
abuse,
And even the bad, are they from it
cut loose?
So when the emperor, chosen to his
throne,
Appoints three great ones, by high
titles known,
If one of these should come to
him, alone,
Holding the jade-screen, with four
homes fleet,
He would be
less than one on lowly seat
Who could the lessons of the Tao
repeat.
Why did the ancients prize this
Tao so much?
Was it not because it answered
every touch,
And that the sin-bound, even,
escaped thereby?
So it is most prized of all
beneath the sky."
- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 62
道者萬物之奧.
善人之寶.
不善人之所保.
美言可以市.
尊行可以加人.
人之不善, 何棄之有.
故立天子置三公, 雖有拱璧以先駟馬.
不如坐進此道.
古之所以貴此道者何.
不曰以求得, 有罪以免耶.
故為天下貴.
- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 62
dao zhe wan wu zhi ao.
shan ren zhi bao.
bu shan ren zhi suo bao.
mei yan ke yi shi.
zun xing ke yi jia ren.
ren zhi bu shan, he qi zhi you.
gu li tian zi zhi san gong, sui you gong bi yi xian si ma.
bu ru zuo jin ci dao.
gu zhi suo yi gui ci dao zhe he?
bu jue yi qiu de, you zui yi mian ye.
gu wei tian xia gui.
- Pinyin Romanization, Daodejing, Chapter 62
- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 62
道者萬物之奧.
善人之寶.
不善人之所保.
美言可以市.
尊行可以加人.
人之不善, 何棄之有.
故立天子置三公, 雖有拱璧以先駟馬.
不如坐進此道.
古之所以貴此道者何.
不曰以求得, 有罪以免耶.
故為天下貴.
- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 62
dao zhe wan wu zhi ao.
shan ren zhi bao.
bu shan ren zhi suo bao.
mei yan ke yi shi.
zun xing ke yi jia ren.
ren zhi bu shan, he qi zhi you.
gu li tian zi zhi san gong, sui you gong bi yi xian si ma.
bu ru zuo jin ci dao.
gu zhi suo yi gui ci dao zhe he?
bu jue yi qiu de, you zui yi mian ye.
gu wei tian xia gui.
- Pinyin Romanization, Daodejing, Chapter 62
He is the treasure of the good man,
He is the support of the man who is not good.
Beautiful words through Tao gain power,
Man, by following it gains steadfastness in action,
But, by the evil man, its possession is ignored.
The Son of Heaven sits enthroned,
His three Ministers are appointed.
One carries inj his hand a tablet of jade:
Another is followed by a mounted retinue,
But the one who is most values sits quietly, and offers as his gift this Tao.
How was the Tao prized by men of Old?
Daily they sought for it.
They found it, hid within the Self.
It gives a way of escape to the guilty.
Therefore it is prized by all men."
- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 62
"El Tao es el Depósito oculto de todas las cosas.
Es un tesoro para la persona honrada, es una salvaguardia del error.
Una buena palabra encontrará su propio mercado.
Una buena obra puede servir como regalo para otro.
Que un hombre haya errado el buen camino no es razón pra ser apartado.
Por ello, en la Entronización de un Emperador, o en el nobramiento de tres ministros,
deja a los demás ofrecer sus discos de jade, precediendo a sus cuadrillas de caballos.
Es mejor para ti ofrecer el Tao sin mover los pies.
Por qué los antiquos apreciaban el Tao?
No es porque, en virtud del mismo, el que busca encuentra, y la culpa es olvidada?
Por esto es un tesoro inigualable para el mundo."
- Translated into Spanish by Alfonso Colodrón from the John C. H. Wu English translation, 1993, Capítulo 62
"The Way is the myriad creatures’ refuge.
It is that which the good extend,
And that which defends the bad.
Eloquent words can win promotion.
Eloquent actions can elevate.
Even if a person is bad, should one reject them?
When the ruler is installed
And the three great ministers appointed,
Though jade disks
And four-horse teams are offered,
It’s better to grant the gift of the Way
Without stirring from one’s place.
Why was the Way valued of old?
Was it not said it brought achievement,
And mitigated the punishment of the guilty.
So it was prized by the realm."
- Translated by A.S. Kline, 2003, Chapter 62
Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching
Taoism: A Selected Reading List
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