The Plain Book Explained

A Complete Guide to the Wisdom of The Book of Plainness

About the narrator:

A voice of perspective and vision.

What you will gain:

Chapter 1: Origins

Chapter 2: The Right Path

Chapter 3: The Will to Seek Help

Chapter 4: Virtue as the Foundation, the Way as the Principle

Chapter 5: The Way and Righteousness

Chapter 6: Finding Peace in Ritual

Explore the wisdom and ideas of the ancients, their strategies and tactics, and their ways of conducting themselves and establishing a place in the world. Explore the classics of Chinese thought, elevate your perspective, and learn to apply methods and strategies flexibly, handle the world with grace, and communicate with ease.

A Daoist recluse at the end of the Qin dynasty. The Book of Plainness was passed down by the Yellow Rock Elder to Zhang Liang.

This is a renowned work in the history of Chinese strategy. It demands virtue of the highest and deepest order.

That is why I thought of the secret warning that came to light when The Book of Plainness was rediscovered: this book must not be passed on to those who lack the Way, spiritual insight, sagehood, and virtue. Gradually, I came to understand that this connection is tied to something precious in Chinese traditional history: the blessings of virtue.

I almost never got to hear it or obtain it, so in the end I accepted it. I said, "Let's see where it ultimately ends up."

I also think of how, back then, Zhang Liang was at Bolangsha when an attempt to assassinate Qin Shi Huang failed, forcing him to flee for his life. Later, he met an old man on a bridge. The old man kicked his shoe off the bridge and told him to go pick it up.

Zhang Liang was surprised. I have a habit when reading: I often put myself in another person's shoes and ask, if I were Zhang Liang and suddenly met an old man who kicked his shoe off the bridge and told me to pick it up, would I do it?

Honestly, I probably wouldn't. But Zhang Liang went and picked it up.

The old man then said, "This young man can be taught." It's become an idiom...