First of all, the mystery of birth

Laozi is full of myths and legends, and even his father, mother and name are confusing and amazing.

Lao Tzu's mother, surnamed Li, is said to be a very dignified and beautiful woman. One day, she went to the river to wash clothes and saw a plum floating down in the river. She picked it up and ate it, and soon got pregnant when she got home. She was pregnant for 8 1 year and gave birth to a boy. The child was born with white hair and beard. Mom looked at it and said, "How to give birth to an old man! Just call him' Lao Zi'. "

It is also said that I was pregnant because my mother ate plums, so my father was plums, so my surname was Li.

He also said that when he grew up, he pointed to a plum tree in the yard and said, "My surname is Li, and this tree is my surname."

Some people say that the word "Lao" used to be the same as the word "Li", so Lao Tzu can also be called "Li Zi".

Lao Tzu's name is "Er", also called "dān". Some people say that this is because when I was born, my ears were very big and hung down to my shoulders, so I called them "ears", which means my ears are long and drooping.

Generally speaking, Lao Tzu's surname is Li, his first name is Er, also called Yong, and his word is Bo Yang. Because his thoughts are so great and magical, everyone doesn't know how to admire him, so they make up many unreal stories for him and make him a legend.

Second, talent.

Li Er has been very clever since he was a child, and his wisdom exceeds that of ordinary children. He doesn't care about such trifles as food, clothing and pleasure, but he is very interested in such things as the sun, moon and stars in the sky, ruling the country and calming the world, winning or losing wars, offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, and divination. None of the teachers invited to teach him at home can teach him because they are not as knowledgeable as Li Ergao.

No one can teach Li Er, which worries Li Er's mother. At this time, someone said, "I heard that there is a teacher who is famous all over the world. His name is Shang Rong, and he is proficient in all the knowledge in the world. However, he is very strict in his choice of students. If a student is not smart or doesn't like listening to lectures, he will turn around and leave. I wonder if I can ask him to teach Li Er. "

Hearing this, Li Er's mother decided to take Li Er to invite Shang Rong.

They walked a long way and finally met Shang Rong.

Shang Rong looked at the child with white hair, big round head and big earlobe. He is very curious. He looked at Li Er carefully and decided that Li Er was one of the few wizards in the world. He decided to teach all his knowledge to Li Er. He followed Li Er and his mother to Li Er's home.

Shang Rong began to teach Li Er to read and write. But he knew all the words of Li Erjiao, so Shang Rong began to teach Li Er Tiandi Avenue and govern the country.

One day, Shang Rong said to Li Er, "Between heaven and earth, man is the noblest."

Li Er immediately asked, "Teacher, what is Heaven?"

Shang Rong replied, "The sky is a clear thing overhead."

Li Er asked again, "So what is the definite thing?"

The teacher said, "What is clear is the sky."

Li Er asked, "What is in the sky?"

Shang Rong replied, "There is something clearer above the sky."

Li Er still frowned and asked, "What is it?"

Shang Rong couldn't answer, so he said, "The teacher didn't teach me in the past, and the book didn't say it, so I don't know."

In the evening, Li Er asked her mother these questions again, and her mother didn't know. So, he looked at the sky with his head held high all night, at the stars in the sky, and stayed up all night thinking about these problems.

A few days later, Mr. Shang Rong came to give another lecture and said, "In the universe, there are heaven and earth and human beings. The law of the operation of heaven and earth, the law of the operation of the earth, and the law of human life. Only when the sky runs regularly can the sun, moon and stars exist in the sky; Land has the law of land operation, and mountains, rivers and seas can be distributed on land; Only when people have their own rules of life can they distinguish between the noble and the humble, the old and the young. Each substance has its own properties, so each substance is different in length and hardness. "

Li Er asked, "Who put the sun, moon and stars in the sky? Who arranged the mountains and rivers on the earth? Who defines human dignity and meanness, old people and young people? Who divides the length and softness of matter? "

Shang Rong said: "These are all decided by heaven."

Li Er asked, "Why can God decide these things?"

Shang Rong replied, "God can change. He has the ability to create everything, so he can do it. "

Li Er asked, "Who taught God's skills? When did you learn the power of God? "

Shang Rong couldn't answer and shook his head. So, Li Er just looked at the sky, thinking about these problems.

A few days later, Mr. Shang Rong came to give a lecture again and said, "The king rules the people from heaven, and the people must obey the king's rule." If the king does not act according to providence, the country will be in turmoil; If the people do not obey the king's management, it is a crime. "

Li Er immediately asked, "Since your Majesty is doing things for heaven, how can he not do things according to God's will?" Since God can create a world together, why not create an obedient king? "

Shang Rong couldn't answer. In the evening, Li Er told her mother what she thought, and her mother couldn't answer. Li Er was puzzled and asked local celebrities everywhere, but no one could answer his questions anywhere.

Another day, Mr Shang Rong gave a lecture and said, "Friendship and harmony between people are the most important things in the world. If people are not friendly and harmonious, there will be war. Fighting is killing each other, and both sides will be hurt. None of us will benefit, only get hurt. If you are good to others, others will be good to you, and if you harm others, others will harm you. "

Li Er asked, "Why doesn't the king care whether people fight or hurt each other? If the king can't control it, why doesn't God control it? Didn't God create this world? Why can't he control it? "

Shang Rong couldn't answer. Li Er is very interested in these things. He kept asking questions, but no one answered.

Shang Rong taught Li Er for three years. One day, he said to Li Er's mother, "I have been teaching Li Er for three years, and I have taught all the knowledge I have learned. There is really nothing to teach him. I came to say goodbye. Li Er is a beautiful jade to be carved, and he has great ambitions. However, your home is too closed and backward. I suggest you send Li Er to Luoyang, the capital of Zhou State, where there are many learned people and many books to read. "

Mother said, "Luoyang is far from here. I only have one son. How can I trust him to go out alone? He is only thirteen years old! "

Shang Rong said, "My brother is in Luoyang. He was a doctor in imperial academy in the Zhou Dynasty. He is knowledgeable and educated all his life. I can take Li Er to see him. "

Li Er's mother, though reluctant to give up her children, agreed for the sake of Li Er's future. So Li Er followed Shang Rong to Luoyang.

Third, Confucius asked for advice.

Li Er came to Luoyang to learn from his teacher. Unconsciously, decades have passed, and his knowledge has increased, and his knowledge has become wider and deeper. Later, the teacher recommended him to work in the library. The books in the library are as high as mountains. Li Er reads books every day and thinks about the problems of the universe and human beings. Finally, he became the most learned man in the world.

Li Er became famous. At that time, people called a learned man Zi, which means Mr. Li Er. Because he is the most learned man in the world, everyone called him Lao Zi.

At that time, there was a learned man in the world. His name is Kong Qiu, and people call him Confucius. Confucius is twenty years younger than Laozi and lives in Lu, which is far from Luoyang. But he also heard that Laozi was very knowledgeable, so he decided to go to Luoyang to ask Laozi for advice.

So Confucius took his student Uncle Nangong, an extremely good boy and a coachman, and drove all the way to Luoyang. So, we met two of the greatest and most knowledgeable people in ancient China.

I like Confucius very much, because Confucius is modest and eager to learn, and knows etiquette. On the one hand, Lao Tzu answered Confucius' questions, on the other hand, he took Confucius to meet the learned people in Luoyang at that time and took Confucius to visit various places of interest. Confucius lived in Luoyang for some time, and finally, he returned to Lu.

When Confucius was about to leave, Lao Tzu came to see him off in person, and they said goodbye.

Lao Tzu said, "I wonder if we will meet again this time." If the rich are gone, they can give the money to others. I have no money, so I can only give you a few words as a parting gift. "

Confucius quickly bowed and said, "Your words are more precious than gold and jewels."

Laozi said: "In this world, there are many people who are very smart and have profound views on things, but their fate is very tragic and they are often executed. Do you know why? "

Confucius said, "Ask me."

Lao Tzu said: "That's because they think they are smart and like to laugh at others;" There are many people who are good at talking and debating, but they often get angry because they like to show their talents by preaching the shortcomings of others. "

Confucius asked, "Excuse me, sir, what should people do?"

Laozi said, "As a learned man, you should never think that you are great and shoulder heavy responsibilities for your country. You must never think that you should be above others, be modest and prudent, and be honest with others. "

Confucius said, "Disciples must remember this!"

Lao Tzu sent Confucius to the bank of the Yellow River and saw the water of the Yellow River, shāng soup, flowing eastward.

Confucius sighed: "Time is like the water of the Yellow River, day and night. It is constantly passing away. Where is the destination of life? "

Laozi said: "The life of this world is also integrated with this world. The world is a product of nature, and so are human beings. People's life changes, such as childhood, adolescence, maturity and old age, just as there are four seasons in nature: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Born in nature, died in nature, and everything changes with nature. Don't be lost in your initial heart, eager to pursue fame and fortune. A person who takes a false name too seriously will be full of anxiety; If you take the interests too seriously, you will be in trouble. "

Confucius said: "I don't care about fame and fortune either." It is only when I see that in today's world, truth can no longer be upheld, benevolence and morality can no longer be implemented, wars are constantly raging in various countries, and people's lives are miserable that I feel anxious. I can't change the world and save people from fire and water. "

Laozi pointed to the water of the Yellow River and said, "To be a man, you should learn the character of water. In this world, the character of water is the most beautiful. "

Confucius looked at the river, and Laozi continued: "Water provides nutrition for all things in the world, but water never strives for benefits and glory. Water always stays where people don't want to go. This is the virtue of modesty. Don't think too highly of yourself. Rivers occupy canyons and abyss, just because water never wants to be high, but is willing to stay in low concave places, so rivers can be extremely wide and become the king of all canyons; The softest thing in the world is water, but it is still water that can destroy the hardest thing, because water is soft but powerful; Therefore, soft personality can overcome hard personality, weak personality and strong personality. Because water has no selfish desires and can reach anywhere. From here, you can see the way to educate people without spending too much effort, and the reason to govern the country without spending too much effort. "

Confucius said, "Mr. Wang means that everyone wants to be in a high position, but only water is willing to stay in a low position;" Everyone wants to do something without danger, only water rushes into the abyss; Everyone wants to live in a clean and tidy place, only water is not afraid of dirt. Water always does things that everyone hates. Who else wants to argue with it? Is this the best and noblest virtue? "

Lao Tzu nodded and said, "Yes! If you don't compete with the world for fame and fortune, then no one in the world will compete with you. This is the virtue of learning water. The virtue of water is the closest truth to the selfless dedication of nature. Nature's dedication to all things can be seen everywhere, and water brings benefits to other life anytime and anywhere. Water avoids high places and flows to low places, so it doesn't stop all the way, because water is good at choosing terrain; When the water is small, it is clean and bright. Once it merges into a big river, it is vast and difficult to see through. This is the virtue that water is good at uniting and gathering and making itself broad. Water is often dedicated to other life. Although it often loses itself, it will never be exhausted. It gives to others without expecting anything in return, because water has a kind heart. When water meets the rotating terrain, it will rotate. Will automatically separate when encountering obstacles. When it is blocked by a mountain dam, it will stop flowing. Once there is an exit, it will run to the sea. These are all because water is the most honest. Water can clean up dirty things and smooth uneven places, which is why it is good at managing things; Water can carry things and make them float on the water. Clear water can reflect the appearance of things like a mirror. Water can attack strong things, and its power is overwhelming. This is why water makes good use of its own ability and strength. Rivers run day and night, and the back waves push the front waves. This is because water is good at accumulating strength over time. Therefore, the wise should do things according to different situations, while the wise should change according to the changes of things; The wise manage the country without any utilitarian purpose, and people of insight decide to advance and retreat according to the requirements of the times. "

Confucius thanked him again and again and said, "I will remember your teacher's teaching and tell me the highest wisdom in life."

Lao Tzu said, "When you do things in the future, you should get rid of your pride in language and appearance, and don't always show your ambitions and opinions on your face. People spread around before becoming famous, and spread around before the body got the news, making a fuss, just like a tiger walking in the street. Who dares to come near you? Who else wants to work with you? Who wants to use you? "

Confucius said, "Your words will always be engraved in my heart."

After Confucius finished, he said goodbye to Laozi with tears, got on the bus with Uncle Nangong, and reluctantly left Lu.

Back in Lu, Confucius' disciples asked, "Sir, have you seen Laozi?"

Confucius said, "Yes!"

Disciple asked, "How is Lao Zi?"

Confucius said, "Birds can fly, fish can swim and wild animals can run." . Birds can be shot down with arrows, fish can be hooked, and running animals can be caught in nets. Only dragons don't know what they will do. Dragons can soar in the clouds for nine days! I met Lao Zi, who is like a dragon. His knowledge is profound, and his interests are lofty and difficult to understand. He expands and contracts with different times like a snake and changes with current events like a dragon. Laozi is my real teacher! "

Fourth, Han Gu wrote a book.

Laozi later became a librarian in Luoyang. At this time, the Zhou royal family was in a chaotic period, and there was a rebellion by Prince Ji Chao. Ji Chao led troops to attack Luoyang, and Zhou He hurried to the State of Jin for help. Jin sent troops to attack Ji Zhuo's rebels. Ji Zhuo was defeated and fled to Chu with books and documents from the Zhou royal library.

As a librarian, Lao Tzu was robbed of books and documents by the rebels. The royal family will hold Lao Tzu accountable for his dereliction of duty, and he may be executed. So, I rode a green cow and fled Luoyang. He decided to take refuge in Qin.

I fled all the way to the west. Everywhere he went, he saw people who were killed because of the rebellion. The crops in the field were deserted and there was no one in the cottage. I am very sad. He thought to himself, "The war is fierce and moral people don't like it. War is the last resort. Enough is enough. Those who win the battle should not be complacent. Those who are complacent about war must take pleasure in killing people. A virtuous king cannot compete for strength in the world by war. When war breaks out, it is bound to be a depression. It must be a dangerous era, and the country will inevitably perish. "

Lao Tzu rode a green cow and continued westward. One day, he came to Hanguguan, the commander-in-chief of Hanguguan in Qin State, who loved reading poetry books since childhood. He is very knowledgeable. He had long heard that Laozi was the most learned man in the world, so he sent troops to stop Laozi and took him to a hotel, asking Laozi to write all his knowledge in a book. Otherwise, he won't let Lao Tzu go west.

I agreed. I wrote a book in Hanguguan, with a total of 5,000 words, called "The Book of Laozi". This book is the great book Tao Te Ching, which has great influence all over the world.

Tao Te Ching is one of China's most beautiful works and a philosophical work written in poetic style. Its sentence patterns are neat, rhyming, catchy and easy to recite and remember. It is the greatest work of Chinese characters, which shows our beautiful sense of rhythm and music.

Lao Tzu put forward the basic concept of China's philosophy "Tao" in the book Tao Te Ching. Lao Tzu asked us to know that "Tao" is the existence of nature, that is, the way of things and the nature. If you want to grow naturally, you will reach the best state of your life.

Tao Te Ching is a great work, and we should study and understand it all our lives. It has influenced China for thousands of years.

Later, Lao Zi and Yin left Hanguguan to preach in Zhongnanshan in the south. Later, where did he go? Nobody knows. Some people say that he went to the western regions, which is today's Xinjiang, and that he lived for more than a hundred years. Some people say that these are not necessarily true. I died of old age in Zhong Nanshan.

Verb (abbreviation for verb) immortal saint

Son, in the history of China, several people are very important, so we must remember them. One is our ancestors Yan Di and the Yellow Emperor. If you don't remember them, you don't know where your home is. Besides, Laozi and Confucius are pioneers of our China culture. Without understanding, we can't understand the culture of China and the wisdom of China people. That is a man without wisdom.

Laozi is one of the greatest figures of our Chinese nation and also one of the greatest figures of mankind. His thoughts are always what we need to learn and study. He is an eternal saint.

;