Tao and Empire II: The Arcadian Archangel

By Max Crisp

This is the second volume of the Tao and Empire series. The series aims to recount the rise and fall of societal morals using as a basis an ancient Eastern philosophical text. In so doing, it strives to use this text as a constant, allowing the distortion of so-called conservative values for progressive means to be measured and viewed objectively.

Whilst this is not a course in imperial history, and does not pretend to focus on any particular historical power, it does try to identify the misunderstandings that were made. From one volume to the next we see not only the chronology of the hemisphere, but also in a certain way the chronology of the individual as he/she begins to perceive the world differently moving from childhood, through adolescence and on into the wild world of adulthood.

Still laden with naiveté, the Arcadian Angel uncovers the origins of human's self-centred drive for power. Yet still in its infancy, we see how the road to hell is truly paved with the best of intentions. Follow the collective mind on its next step in this journey towards purgatory, decadence and derision. The Arcadian Angel may be your last chance to taste the sweet nectar of our long-lost but original innocence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Villemel
• Release date: Dec 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9791094007037

Max Crisp

Max Crisp is a translator and interpreter based in Geneva, Switzerland. Having studied both there and in the UK, he now works principally for organisations specialising in international public law (UN agencies, NGOs, etc).He has lectured at the Universities of Paris III (Sorbonne Nouvelle) and Rennes (School of Public Health) but currently dedicates his time to mentoring, private study and writing.He holds two masters degrees in his specialist fields, both awarded by the Faculty of Translating and Interpreting (the ETI) of the University of Geneva, and an executive masters in International Negotiation and Policy-making, awarded by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID).

Book preview

Book I

1 Goals vs. greed

Our happiness comes from identifying our goal in life.

We must begin free of goals,

Nor must we ever reveal their identity.

None of us are born with goals.

We look first to our parents,

And, if we avoid greed, we find them.

Humans are unique in pursuing greed.

But the greedy can only dream of having goals.

Greed and goals may even be alike, but only one is real.

And only by looking to other people,

Will a goal be identified.

But we must not follow in the footsteps of others.

This is the gateway to uncontrollable greed,

And a soul that will never rest.

2 Distinguishing worth

We know what is beautiful,

And therefore also what is ugly.

This is easy for all to understand.

It is altogether different to know what has value,

And therefore what doesn’t,

Fortunately.

If everybody could separate the two,

All value would be turned on its head,

Unfortunately.

To learn this difficult skill we must be proactive.

We must take baby-steps.

By understanding the extremes,

We can measure along a scale.

By distinguishing rich and poor,

We can distinguish worth.

By accepting diversity,

We can relate to any other person’s goals and stories.

2b. Accepting advice

Good people won’t tell us which goals to choose,

Such behaviour would upset their own value system.

Through friendship, however,

We can passively absorb information.

Friends will effortlessly highlight our path amongst all others.

This connection can exist between any two people,

And they will identify with each other.

One guides the other without thought of gain.

They will show the path, yet never set the itinerary.

They achieve a social purpose, and move on.

And because they have no thought of gain,

They will not feel bad when we also decide to move on.

3 Broad action

At the heart of the mutual feeling of equality,

We find other people.

They also discourage greed.

They place no value in possessions,

And therefore never fear thieves.

They do not tempt others by inciting greed.

Helping people along their way is as easy as this:

Empty greed from the heart,

And put food into the stomach.

Help to forget the world outside,

And strengthen the world inside.

Encourage ignorance of status,

And fortify against greed.

This keeps the greedy occupied,

And stops them from interfering with others,

And it causes no harm to those honestly seeking their path.

4 The source

We will learn to identify the goals of others,

Yet we cannot choose any but our own.

We have ours for the sake of others’,