quotes

In harmony with the Tao…

In harmony with the Tao,
the sky is clear and spacious,
the earth is solid and full,
all creatures flourish together,
content with the way they are,
endlessly repeating themselves,
endlessly renewed.

when man interferes with the Tao
the sky becomes filthy,
the earth becomes depleted,
the equilibrium crumbles,
creatures become extinct.

Lao Tzu

And to think the Old Sage Laozi or Lao Tzu (Old Master) wrote this around 400 B.C. This translation is from Tao Te Ching: A New English Version by Stephen Mitchell. I believe this to be a juba skipper who was hanging around my ponds, so I shot photographed it. But, I don’t believe I interfered with the Tao.

Retired. Having fun shooting Fujifilm cameras. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku. Have a love for fountain pens.

6 Comments

  • Geri Oster

    Monte, I so enjoy learning about all the very beautiful creatures and plants that inhabit your surroundings! This little guy (?) is a dandy. And the quotes, personal poems and thoughts that you share are very much helping me to find perspective and, I hope, a little bit of my truth as I try to gently make my way in this very chaotic and oftentimes frightening greater world. Thank you for the moments of peace and reflection and HOPE.

    • Monte Stevens

      You are so welcome, Geri! Seems our world does need to have more peace, reflection and hope. And, thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment or two. They mean a lot to me and encourage me to continue with photography and my ramblings.

  • Earl

    Yelp, I think humankind has lost its way. We’ve been so overwhelmed by technology, and our priorities have become corrupted. Excellent work on the photo, Monte.

    • Monte Stevens

      Thanks, Earl! I personally find it overwhelming and I am not as deeply influenced in it as some. What scares me is man’s belief that our continued interference can solve the problems “we have created.”