246 - Tao Te Ching (31)

Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.
 
Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?
 
He enters a battle gravely,
with sorrow and with great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral.

245 - O Mestre Alfredo.

A partir de 27 de Julho, todas as Terças-feiras, na TV Guia, os seguintes filmes do Mestre:
 
O Homem Que Sabia Demais; A Estalagem Maldita; Os 39 Degraus; A Dama Oculta; Número 17; Sabotagem; O Agente Secreto; e Chantagem e Confissão.
 
@ €4,90!

244 - The Sopranos are back in town

243 - Tao Te Ching (30)

Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men
doesn't try to force issues
or defeat enemies by force of arms.
For every force there is a counterforce.
Violence, even well intentioned,
always rebounds upon oneself.

The Master does his job
and then stops.
He understands that the universe
is forever out of control,
and that trying to dominate events
goes against the current of the Tao.
Because he believes in himself,
he doesn't try to convince others.
Because he is content with himself,
he doesn't need others' approval.
Because he accepts himself,
the whole world accepts him.

242 - Chapeau, Sr. Presidente!

Hoje, o Dr. Jorge Sampaio inscreveu a letras douradas o seu nome na História de Portugal.

241 - Obviamente, demite-se (?)

Se o Senhor Presidente da República não pedir ao Partido Político com maioria no parlamento - o PSD - para formar governo;

Se o Senhor Presidente da República decidir dissolver a Assembleia da República;

Se o Senhor Presidente da República decidir convocar eleições legislativas antecipadas; e

Se o PSD vencer as eleições...

Que decisão tomará o Senhor Presidente da República?

A Honra aponta, apenas, um caminho.

240 - Tao Te Ching (29)

Do you want to improve the world?
I don't think it can be done.

The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.

There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.