• On page 43 [ch. 40] what is “the Way” that he is referring to?—MM

• In chapter 44 it asks if your body or name is more important. What does it mean?—NB

• Page 47, Chapter 44, “Your name or your body, which do you hold dear?” Also, as a more general question, there are numerous references to “Virtue” in book two, starting on page 41 [ch. 38], what exactly is the “Virtue,” and has it’s meaning changed at all with time?—JS

• On p. 47 [ch. 44], it says “Excessive hoarding results in great loss.” What is your perspective on this statement?—MO

• In chapter 47, can a person really know everything, without going anywhere?—DE

• On chapter 48, Laozi explains the way in which one ceases to do an action until the individual ultimately stops. Yet when nothing is done, nothing is left undone. What exactly does this mean?—LH

• Chapter 49 talks about the truest trust. Is trusting one who isn’t trustworthy really true trust?—RG

• On page 55 chapter 52 and Chapter 53 page 56. In chapter 52 “Multiply your activities: and to the end of your life you will be beyond salvation.” But on page 56 “The Great Way is short and easy; yet people love to take shortcuts.” Why is this so contradictory?—CB

• In chapter 53 the author talks about how people are materialistic. Do you think being materialistic is a bad thing?—DS

• Chapter 57, second line says “Follow what is strange and perverse in deploying your troops.” What does that mean?—CSt

• Question comes from Chapter Sixty p. 63: When it says, “Ruling a great state is like cooking a small fish,” what does that exactly mean?—HW

• Referring to Ch. 63, page 66; what is the purpose of making all of these contradictions?—ASC

• P. 69. Chapter 66. What I got from this passage was basically that one cannot lead effectively unless they understand what it is like to follow. What do you think of this? Does my idea seem to make sense or do you have any other views?—CSz

• Chapter 72: (first two lines) Why would not fearing something that warrants awe cause something truly awful to happen to you?—MT

• Why do you think we use death as a punishment if people do not fear death? Referring to chapter 74.—CJM