The Missing Piece of a Puzzle

In Tao Te Ching I have read values and lessons that are usually the same in the society I live in. Nevertheless, there are only few values I have been raised with, giving me the perception of a totally different culture and perception of life.

In my life, I have always seen wisdom and knowledge as a gift that only few in the world have. However, I have always have in consideration that “ignorance is blessed”, and life can be more fun in a superficial life, but a shallow happy life is far worse than a complicated live having a lot of knowledge.
The Tao Te Ching is in controversy, and advises to take the path of the shallow life. “Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.” (Tao Te Ching 20).

My mother has a saying, “never go to the extremes, nor too much nor too little”. I have always tried to use it in my life especially with feelings, such as pride or admiration. However, I felt as Tao Te Ching was completely erasing ambition, “Accept disgrace willingly” “Accept being unimportant. Do not be concerned with loss or gain.” (Tao Te Ching 13). I disagree with this saying, for a person or animal will always be making an effort, but for there to be effort there must be the encouragement that comes with a drop of ambition. I do recognize that ambition can be deadly if there is too much of it, but I also recognize that none of it can take the purpose of effort, of life.

The Tao Te Ching and I have different perceptions towards life, and there is no way of knowing witch is wrong or right, and I believe that every individual will choose its path, after lessons and experiences from their lives.