Revision as of 16:27, 22 June 2009

part of the Sacred Chao Te Ching

Chapter 51

The Chao produces all things.
They play with power and energy.
Matter gives them physical form.
Nature and nurture dance from the Chao
The Chao is respected, and balance is honored.
This happens naturally, there is no creator of balance.

The Chao produces all things:
it gives them power, and takes away their power,
it is the teat we suckle at, and must learn to move away from,
it is the ability to understand the self, and also mock it,
it is certainty while being uncertain,
it is simultaneously passionate and detached,
it is both the comedian and the audience,
making them laugh at something within.
This is mystical power.

BURNS SUGGESTION

All beings are expressions of Eris. 
This Sets the stage for ages of laughter.
All you need is a banana peel and an audience.
After all, laughter is even better when it's shared.

Chapter 52

The One of the Chao split up into everything else.
Those who understand Chaos can understand the rest.
That which can be understood can be useful.

Embrace doubt, reserve judgement,
and knowledge will flow like water.
Come to solid conclusions, have unwavering Faith,
and nothing will make sense.

Admitting ignorace is wise;
Declaring stupidity is clever.
Look for the gaps, seek them out,
and then you'll know what needs filling.
This is Thinking for Yourself.

Chapter 53

Those who even partially understand
admit that they do not know everything.
What is unknown is vast, 
but people like blinding themselves.

When Authority bangs the podium,
the people say, "my country, right or wrong."
When the holy man thumps his scripture,
the people embrace Faith over Facts.
So some people revel
in their abandonment of responsibility.
They have given up their humanity.
This is fucking stupid.

Chapter 54

Whoever is slackened by the Chao
will not be tied back down!
(unless of course you like that sort of thing?)
Do what you desire to do!
Eris is always honored by instinct,
awaiting convolution.

Chapter 55

Those who understand Chaos can pierce any illusion.
Disorder does not trouble them.
Order does not placate them.
They see around the bars of their Cell,
and always look just a little bit further.
They can freely create, knowing no boundries,
but coloring inside the lines when they must.
They can wear ideas like masks, but remove them at will,
and are not bound by chains of Faith.
To know Chaos is to always be in doubt.
To know doubt is to always seek an answer.

To try and force truth is dangerous.
To decide you're right before getting the facts is foolish.
The first errent bit of evidence will cause a collapse.
Whatever is monolithic will fall.

Chapter 56

Those that create, also destroy.
Those who destroy, also create.
Creative Disorder; Orderly Creation.
Destructive Order; Disorderly Destruction.
Ordered Disorder; Disorderly Order.
These are all lies.
Those believing them can do anything.
Those who disbelieve are fools.
Do you believe that?

Chapter 57

Authority rules through miscommunication.
Wars are waged by pandering to fears.
The world can be won by joining opposites.
Check it out:
Tell people what they want to hear, and they will follow.
Make them think like apes, they will act like monkeys.
Relieve them of their responsibilities, they will call you wise.
Show them what they fear, they will call you just.

Therefore, the wise spags say,
"Pay no attention to the speeches of Authority,
but listen instead to what the audience is hearing.
And if at all possible,
try to be the one making the speech."

Chapter 58

When Authority imposes Order, people become angry.
When Authority allows Freedom, people become nervous.
To allow for mistakes means accepting mistakes;
To enforce order ensures future punishment.
The people want Freedom, but at others' expense.
The people want Order, but only to justify their actions.
Therefore the wise spags disrupt Order,
And organize Freedom, 
And freely create their illusions.

Chapter 59

If you find yourself in a position of Authority,
don't be a douchebag.
Seek information from opposing sides.
Listen to the will of the people,
but also to the well-informed.
Talk to people who disagree.
Do not keep things concealed,
and do never say,
"Because I said so."
The people may be foolish,
but they are not fools.
Eventually, all that try to impose Order
become mired in disarray.

Chapter 60

A good leader is like an orchestral conductor.
He is given a set of rules that the people should follow.
By flapping his arms, he tries organize them.
The more careful and precise he is,
the more harmonious the performance.
However, a good leader knows
that it is the individual nuances
all working together, yet still independently,
that create the rich texture.
And so Order and Disorder combine
to create beauty.