Enamel-painted lotus scroll pattern upturned bell cup

Enamel-painted lotus scroll pattern upturned bell cup

Dialogue between Lao Tzu and Confucius

Timeless wisdom passed down through the ages

Two sages in Chinese history, Lao Tzu and Confucius, once met, and their lively conversation has become a timeless tale.

Confucius traveled to various states, spreading the ideas of benevolence, restoring the Zhou rites, and implementing benevolent governance, which greatly displeased the ambitious feudal lords.

Confucius, who had encountered setbacks everywhere, consulted Laozi on matters of ritual on several occasions. Laozi, however, disagreed with Confucius's insistence on benevolence, love, rites, and music.

Once, when Lao Tzu was seeing Confucius off, he gave him these words of advice: "...Those who are eloquent and insightful often bring disaster upon themselves because they like to publicize the faults of others. As a son, do not consider yourself superior; as a minister, do not consider yourself above others. I hope you will remember this well."

Confucius bowed his head and said, "Your disciple will certainly keep this in mind!"

Upon reaching the banks of the Yellow River, one sees the river surging and its turbid waves rolling.

Confucius sighed, “Time flows on like this river, never ceasing day or night! The Yellow River’s waters surge ceaselessly, and so does the passage of human years. The river flows on, but where does human life return to?”

Lao Tzu pointed to the mighty Yellow River and said to Confucius, "Why don't you learn from the great virtues of water?"

Confucius asked, "What virtues does water possess?"

Lao Tzu said, "The highest good is like water."

"If one does not contend with the world, then no one in the world can contend with him; this is to emulate the virtue of water..."
Therefore, the sage acts according to the times, the wise adapt to circumstances, and the intelligent do nothing. Lao Tzu said: "If you want to observe the Great Dao, you must first let your mind wander in the beginning of things. ... Abandon the differences and observe the similarities, then you can let your mind wander in the beginning of things. In the beginning, things were mixed together as one, without form or nature, without difference."

Confucius asked, "What joy is there in observing their similarities?"

Lao Tzu said, "If you observe their similarities, you will find that all things are equal... If you find joy in yourself, where can you not find joy?"

Confucius said, “Your words came from the bottom of my heart and entered my heart. I have benefited greatly from them and will never forget them. I will follow them diligently to repay your kindness.”