A review by taurilaane
Tao Te Ching: The Essential Translation of the Ancient Chinese Book of the Tao by Laozi

4.0

I guess I'd give the book and the author 5 stars for the quality and approach, but the concept of Tao is quite alien to me. Yes I am at peace, Yes I am achieving for myself and not bragging, Yes I want to live life as it flows and not to swim upstream and fight the reality... But TAO seems to give a false hope that the world could be run this way. It can't, humans are animals and only without rules and goals they would go back to animal ways - which includes attacking others for their possessions. John Lennon sang - Imagine a world, where ...... but no, this world would sadly collapse due to human nature. Some humans are greedy and ambitious - and it takes only one two rule others. We have to accept that there are wolves among humans and we can not have society designed 100% for lambs.
***
But I liked the concept of Tao in war, though. I am a big fan of The Art of War, which has Tao influences - conquer your enemies without a fight. The greatest victory is without any battle.