The Philosophy of the Virtue of Humbleness in the Tao Te Ching is an inquiry into the extent to which and the means by which Lao Tzu weaves a subliminal, yet pervasive, message praising the virtues of the humble and the value of humbleness. The Tao Te Ching is an ancient teaching with tremendous insight and numerous subtle, yet profound, messages. Prior interpreters have recognized that amongst its many teachings, the Tao Te Ching offers praise to the humble, the meek, the simple, the natural, and the lowly. Prior to this study, no in depth studies have been performed focusing on the extent to which and the means through which Lao Tzu reiterates and reinforces his respect for, and his plea to adhere to, the virtue of humbleness. This study explores that issue.; The findings demonstrate that the Tao Te Ching incorporates a multitude of diverse and varied means through which Lao Tzu directly, or subtly, expresses words of wisdom concerning the virtue of humbleness. Such messages are oftentimes hidden in elusive phrases within those passages outwardly expressing concepts of transcendent, political, cosmological, feminist, and naturalistic themes. The messages are oftentimes expressed through, and hidden within, metaphors. This study tells of the numerous means and techniques through which Lao Tzu repetitively and pervasively weaves a continuous and cohesive thread supporting the virtue of humbleness throughout the Tao Te Ching .
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