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Translation by Nina


	Dao De Jing Chapter 72 When people are scorned they cower; that results in dreading that even greater fears will come. They must not be restricted within their own homes. They must not be made to feel fed up with life. It's only when they refuse to feel fed up by their lives that they aren't fed up. It's correct for the wise person to know herself, but not pay attention to how she's perceived; to love herself, but not let herself be considered precious. In that way, let go of that and take this. Commentary: 72 ~ Receiving is giving -When people are scorned they cower; that results in dreading that even greater fears will come. Some people believe that if all the people in the world were more like them, this would be a better place to live comfortably with each other. In their quest to force humanity to attain levels of compassion and kindness they feel is appropriate for all people, they can loose the whole point. You really can't force a gift onto another person if they don't want it - no matter how precious you think it might be. By using threats and condemnations, you really don't spread love and compassion - you simply make others more afraid of you. -They must not be restricted within their own homes. -They must not be made to feel fed up with life. One might go so far as to suggest appropriate action for people to take when they're relaxing in their own homes. As though some "Big Brother" was watching them at all times, saying "Don't you dare do that! Bad!" Most people can never live up to the ideals set forth of what's proper and compassionate at all times. We all need to blow off a little steam sometimes. If people feel like they can't meet the expectations made of them, they might wonder why they're even alive. They get so fed up with themselves for their own imperfections that they don't feel like their lives are valuable at all. -It's only when they refuse to feel fed up by their lives that they aren't fed up. Every person on this earth has something to offer - whether anyone else can understand what that is or not. Receiving the gifts others contribute can be really difficult, especially when we think they're on the wrong Path or that the gift we're offering them is so much more beneficial. If we see our gifts as being more beneficial, than how could that not make others feel indadequate? -It's correct for the wise person to know herself, but not pay attention to how she's perceived; to love herself, but not let herself be considered precious. A person who feels love for themselves and others deeply in her heart doesn't need to be bolstered by people's respect or admiration for her. Yes, she loves herself, but she doesn't set herself up as some sort of ideal for the rest of humanity. -In that way, let go of that and take this. Let go of the idea that you have so much to give the rest of the world. Gratefully accept what's offered by others, and in that way each person will feel the happiness inherent in giving. \| BY: Nina \| Guodian Laozi \| DDJ Concordance \| Comparisons \| From the DIO Forum \| BY: Bao Pu \| By: Joshua \| Who was Laozi \| \| Return Home \| Laozi's Dao De Jing \| Your Dao De Jing \| Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) \| Links \| Meditation \| Dao (Tao) is Open Forum \| Book List \| Other Stuff \|