Tao Te Ching (Chapter 38)
To give without seeking reward
To help without thinking it is virtuous—
therein lies great virtue
To keep account of your actions
To help with the hope of gaining merit—
therein lies no virtue
The highest virtue is to act without a sense of self
The highest kindness is to give without condition
The highest justice is to see without preference
When Tao is lost one must learn the rules of virtue
When virtue is lost, the rules of kindness
When kindness is lost, the rules of justice
When justice is lost, the rules of conduct
And when the high-blown rules of conduct are not followed
people are seized by the arm and it is forced on them
The rules of conduct are just an outer show of devotion and loyalty—
quite confusing to the heart
And when men rely on these rules for guidance—
Oh, what ignorance abounds!
The great master follows his own nature
and not the trappings of life
It is said,
“He stays with the fruit and not the fluff”
“He stays with the firm and not the flimsy”
“He stays with the true and not the false”
(By Lao Tsu, translated by Jonathan Star)
Trading Shoulds
Trading literature is full of opinions about the right way to trade. Trading shoulds abound. If trading is as much about self-development as it is about having a proper profit and loss statement, then as a trader you need to rely more on your individual perspective than on collective opinion. “The rules of conduct are just an outer show of devotion and loyalty—quite confusing to the heart.” To be impeccably loyal to a trading system or trading style designed by someone else is confusing to your heart and your individuality. “And when men rely on these rules for guidance—Oh, what ignorance abounds!”
Breaking the Rules
You might want your trading slogan to be: If you didn’t make the rule, break the rule. Trading guidelines that don’t come from the Tao and/or hard-won personal experience don’t lead to self-growth. Don’t let the internalized trading police force you into trading in a socially approved manner. “And when the high-blown rules of conduct are not followed people are seized by the arm and it is forced on them.” Don’t let the inner and outer voices of tyranny control your trading.
The Great Master
If you want to live a fulfilling, meaningful and exciting life follow your individual path. Follow the Tao. Anything else is fluff. “He stays with the fruit and not the fluff.” In trading as in life, it is important to listen to your deeper self. The voice of “the great master” lies deep within you. Drink the wisdom from that voice. “The great master follows his own nature and not the trappings of life.”
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