Bessy wrote:
In my view this is not true. I believe the only true wisdom consists in knowing that we cannot know the answer to the last “Why?” When we acquire that wisdom we begin to accumulate the wisdom we need to live.
Wisdom has nothing to do with knowing or not knowing. It is a quality. A virtue.
A
DEB,
Now don’t you dare go mixing me up. 
LA writes
VIRTUE: “Moral excellence and righteousness; goodness.”
Wisdom has many faces.
What about the wisdom of the satantic worshipper? To the person who reveres the devil it may be his wisdom, but does that make it GOOD? 
What about the pedophile. He has practiced so many times picking innocent children off a corner that he posseses a sick wisdom. GOOD? 
What about the thief who has practiced for years cracking safes and truly is the king of (wisdom: i.e. wise outlook, plan or course of action… what is true, right or lasting) petty larceny. Does that make it GOOD?
hmmm. Bessy passes go and collects the two hundred dollars. I win. 
Virtue is a manifestation of the True Nature. It is absolute. The dictionary’s definition is not a complete definition. In the Tao Te Ching, Te means Virtue. In otherwords it is the virtue of Tao. Wisdom is a virtue of Tao within a human being. Deviants are not practicing wisdom.
A
LA wrote:
Facts are the ‘electrons’. Wisdom; that’s when the light comes on.
Nice DEB.
A
+1000 points for understanding and simplicity of use.
Mastriani
If all else failsyou can always go into the mayonnaise business. You can spread it on as thick as the best of them.
Consider this excerpt from the Serenity Prayer:
A lot of “knowing” going on here which requires more than just “wonderful” thoughts.
Mas
Which makes it right, I am sure. All posts from now on should state:
IN MY OPINION! In my opinion, “knowing” in Tao makes wisdom a virtue… but those who do not live through the Tao can see their wisdom as negative or deviant.
Why does everyone see themselves as an expert? Your way are the highway? My way or the street? I see the elitest nature to this. Do you not see that? I am going to become as turned off with TAO as I am with organized religion in about three more days. Back to sarax’s car and Word Association. Tell me WHY you think I COULD be wrong - give the little people the benefit of the doubt… with their OPINION.
I’ll take both NickA and Bessy here, to wit:
NickA,
Especially considering the rules prevalently displayed in the upper most position, keep your personal attacks to yourself.
Secondly, wisdom, from the Eastern perspective, is a virtue. There is nothing to even discuss here. The angelic one stated what is precisely most accurate from the perspective of philosophy of Tao and the human literature that alludes to Tao. That you don’t agree is your own perspective, and your opinions of me are entirely meretricious.
Bessy,
There was no slight in my post with regards to the angelic one, it was simply affirmation of her clarity and preciseness.
Why is it necessary for you to make a personal issue out of something so innocuous, as to truly be beneath notice?
Have I levered negativity against something you have stated here?
Or is it that one must comment on every post, so as not to offend everyone?
Has it been stated here somewhere that my person presumes factual absolutes of the ineffable, that no one else is privy to or sagelike enough to enumerate on their own?
Please provide evidence of such, if you feel that to be the case.
All I can say is that in my twenty one years of studying Tao, along with Chinese history, culture, and language … virtue, of which wisdom is considered one, is a manner most often associated with either grace or enduring works of character.
Sorry if that is somehow bothersome to you, but the word we use for te is virtue, and from that, it is clearly defined by the ancient Eastern perspective. Which makes it anything other than my opinion.
Mas,
As tentative pointed out to me, it is like trying to talk French when you’ve never studied it or play Chopin when you haven’t taken lessons. I get it now. I never took it personally; I was just under the impression that you take your own experiences as they relate to the Tao. I hadn’t understood that there was a right and a wrong nature to it and had no idea that you become enlightened after years of study. My mistake.
IN MY OPINION…
I would suggest that the word Te, translated into english as ‘virtue’ carries a bit more meaning than the english word implies. From my understanding, Te is maximizing the benificence of our interaction within an experience. One could argue further that wisdom both creates and is a product of Te. But as Bessy suggests, wisdom is not the ‘exclusive’ property of Tao.
While I might have chosen different examples, her point has validity. Please consider this example: A street urchin in the Barrios of Sao Paulo has learned the skills of pick pocket to survive and to feed a younger sibling. The child has aquired the understandings necessary to maximize to his benefit each and every opportunity or experience. Has this child acquired “wisdom”? Granted, from the comfort of my computer desk I am allowed the lofty consideration and contemplation of manifest action as spiritual understanding, but must “wisdom” be so confined?
Is there any possibility that Te includes the urchin?
Nowhere did I say my experiences were other than mine, in relation to any contention.
Right and wrong nature? That you have a personally understood perspective of wisdom, is entirely up to you. That you would attempt to refute anyone else’s version is what is incorrect, with respect to language only. Neither of us were present to formulate the Chinese definition of te, so neither of us can change it now, regardless of perspective.
I have never claimed enlightenment. Ever.
In ancient China, the keeper of the Imperial Library, Lao Tzu, was famous for his wisdom. Perceiving the growing corruption of the government, he left for the countryside. On his way, the guard at the city gates asked Lao Tzu to write out the essence of his understanding to benefit future generations. Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, left, and was never heard of again.
The Tao Te Ching (also called “The Tao”, “The Dao” or the “Dao De Jing”), by Lao Tzu, is one of the most influential books in history. It is the source of famous Chinese sayings such as “Those who know do not speak, those who speak, do not know” and “Even a 1,000 mile journey starts with a single step”.
I have only taken 17 steps, Mas, so I won’t be analyzing the Tao anymore even though I was really wanting to buy Boardwalk and Park Place and build hotels. Doesn’t look too promising now, so I will let you tap dance around me and I will just watch, okay?
Unless you say something that reeks of bullshit. Then, I might come over and let you have it.
It’s amazing how much judgement people place on the trivial, then cast the glaring eye, and assume they have someone else completely figured out, including intent and purpose.
Let’s see if anyone can accurately interpret this:
Fuck ILP and all the sanctamonious bullshit attitudes.
Mastriani wrote
Fuck ILP and all the sanctamonious bullshit attitudes.
If this is the result of years studying the Tao and its wisdom with a master, I think I’ll stick with the wisdom of the tavern. At least I can pinch some behinds and enjoy good scotch. 
Hi Mas,
As if you needed someone to prove your point!
JT
Hmmm…
1000 points? That’s generous, thank you. Let me see. Perhaps if I divide them up equally amongst you, tentative and Bessy I’ll be able to get some sleep. I’ll keep the remaining point over for myself. A starting point and tomorrow is another day.
Goodnight all.
Espavo
A