Ignorance Or Wisdom?

In chapters 13-28, the Tao Te Ching produces some very interesting argument that could be pointless but if interpreted as intended, may also be very simple solutions to reality. The first of these ideas is one that goes against our society’s logic, which states: “give up learning, and put an end to your troubles (chapter20).” When I read this I remembered another quote that I had read some time ago in one of my middle school classes that stated: “Ignorance is a bliss.” I related these two because both share the same message which, in my interpretation, is something like not knowing the degree of your troubles might as well get you through them unaware of your position. If you are ignorant about something you don’t understand or even care to understand, you are removing a burden from your mind. This is completely illogical in my mind, for I believe that education and knowledge are the key to success and the only real tools for fighting any troublesome situation. Some optimistic and simplistic people may agree with the previous statements, and that is what makes interpretation so subjective to the position.

As any other text, the Tao Te Ching includes very direct arguments as well, for sometimes interpretation may oppose the intention of the author. “He who does not trust enough will not be trusted (chapter 23).” It is simply stating that if you don’t trust someone, why might he trust you? Others will always see you as what you show them you see on them. Someone that is very mysterious and trusts none his secrets irradiates suspicion because people may wonder what on earth is it that he hides, making him very unlikely to be trusted.

Interesting interpretations come when the text reads “Know the white, but keep the black! (chapter 28).” This idea is one that may be very difficult to apply. As I see it, it is telling us to know what is good and accept everything we see, but to draw a limit between good and evil, accepting but never agreeing with the black. IT is something that every person shall learn in the course of his life. For me, this is something like the instinct of survival in a zebra that allows her to walk around predators, but gives her the wisdom to tell between a hungry lion and a wondering prairie dog. Life is all about drawing limits and stating priorities based upon those limits. The secret to a life of accomplishments is to be able to set high priorities and goals which you can achieve by respecting those limits you establish previously.