Tao Te Ching
Ming Taizu 明太祖
(The Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhan)
1328 – 1398 CE
One of the most influential emperors in all of Chinese history
Peasant farmer, destitute beggar at 16 when his family was killed in a flood, and Buddhist monk until his monastery was destroyed by the Mongols, Ming Taizu dramatically rose above his circumstances and led the rebellion against the Yuan and founded the Ming dynasty. As emperor he protected the poor, created irrigation systems, planted 50 million trees, and distributed land to peasants greatly increasing their standards of living. The population increased from 60 to 100 million. He studied the Tao Te Ching, based his government on Taoist principles drawing up a new legal code considered one of the greatest achievements of the age and also supported Islam. He prevented corruption and protected the weak but per historians was corrupted himself in later life.
Lineages
Politicians Taoist
Eras
Western
Renaissance (1304 – 1576 CE)Unlisted Sources
Quotes by Ming Taizu (9 quotes)
“When I first ascended the throne, the people were unruly and officials corrupt. If ten people were executed in the morning, a hundred were breaking the same law by evening… I turned to the Taoteching… decided to do away with capital punishment and put criminals to work instead. In the year since then, the burdens of my heart have been lightened. Truly, this book is the greatest teacher of kings.”
Chapters:
74. The Great Executioner
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“1. Be dutiful to your parents.
2. Be respectful to your elders.
3. Live in harmony with your neighbors.
4. Instruct your children and grandchildren.
5. Be content with your calling.
6. Do no evil.”
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“1. Be dutiful to your parents.
2. Be respectful to your elders.
3. Live in harmony with your neighbors.
4. Instruct your children and grandchildren.
5. Be content with your calling.
6. Do no evil.”
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“Making the people afraid to transgress by intimidating them with capital punishment is a superficial policy.”
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“Alas, how easily money and profit can bewitch a person.”
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“Using the elders to settle affairs is certainly appropriate for all authorities, how can there be anything that is not good”
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“I punish them in order to make manifest the consequences of good and evil actions.”
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“Renounce spiritual ignorance; return to The One – that is the religion called Islam.”
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“Muhammad is the most noble sage.”
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Quotes about Ming Taizu (1 quotes)
“Seldom has the course of Chinese history been influenced by a single personality as much as it was by the founder of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang.”
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