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Tao Stoic 25

"Such is the power of language" said the Master, "that we attach different meanings to terms like: 'to avoid', 'beware of', 'to try not to', 'take care', etc. while they could easely be translated in: 'fear of', even 'do not like' and still other terms, as Orwell did by 'Double Plus Good', which makes 'bad' superfluous (Double Minus Good, and ungood. It is why Schopenhauer could say that the language of Nature is not understood because it is too simple. In Nature no such terms exist, all are one idea. Indeed we have enriched our language to our convenience, yet, we must remain aware of the simple patterns it describes in different ways.

All ideas, always, are accompanied by a notation of 'good' or 'bad' (for me). Now, what is 'attitude'? The same emotional notation. What is sympathy? The same. What is 'good morning!', or 'you vixen!', 'a strong man', 'honesty', etc. All are the natural pairs of 'I like/I not like'. Remember this for it is part of the Way." [24], [35]


next up previous
Next: Tao Stoic 26 Up: Tao Stoics Late Twentieth Previous: Tao Stoic 24
Ven 2005-01-24