Tao of Pooh Questions
1. What is the significance of the painting Hoff describes named The Vinegar Tasters? (2)
The painting Vinegar Tasters expresses the different beliefs of the Three Teachings.
You can identify the differences through the facial expressions of the three.
2. What is the theme of life according to Hoff’s interpretation of Taoism? (5-6) Hoff’s
interpretation of Taoism is that the harmonious way of nature and letting things be as
they are is the way to make a happy life.
3. How does Hoff explain the “uncarved block” metaphor? (10) The ‘uncarved block’
maintains its power through the original state of simplicity, and is changed when the
simplicity is lost.
4. What is the secret message of the “uncarved block?” (2) The message is that without
complexity in life, one can remain natural, plain, and even child-like, and be able to
spontaneoulsy have things work out.
5. What was the main conflict between the Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff?
(24) To the Taoists, Confucianists were busy scholars trying to learn everything and
become wise, unlike the Taoists who enjoyed and learned from the natural way of life.
6. Which of Milne’s characters represent Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff?
Pooh represents the Taoists, and the Owl represents the Confucianist.
7. What is Hoff’s opinion of Confucianist scholars? (26) Hoff believs that Confucianist
scholars, or ‘desiccated scholars’, ‘studies Knowledge for Knowledge’ and writes
pompous, abstract essays rather than trying to spread enlightenment to others.
8. What does Hoff say about knowledge vs. experience? (29) Hoff says that knowledge
and experience cannot necessarily be compared for they are two different things, but
knowledge that comes from experience is more valuable than plain knowledge.
9. What do most scholars blame for problems in the world? Why isn’t it justified? (32) Most
scholars blame the ‘uncarved blocks’, whom they think are ignorant. It isn’t justified
because the problem is often indirectly or directly caused by the scholar’s limitations and
nearsightedness.
10. What is the difference between “cleverness” and “Inner Nature?” (38)
Cleverness refers to the knowledge while inner nature is basic knowledge which cannot be
measured.
11. Why is it important to discern your own Inner Nature? (41)
It is important because you can find out where you belong in the world and make right or wrong
judgements.
12. Explain Hoff’s interpretation of the Chinese quote: “One disease, long life; No disease,
short life.” (48)
In his quote, Hoff is stating that one who acknowledges their own problems and try to
solve them in some way, will have a longer life. He also says that those who avoid their
problems instead of trying to solve them, will live a more shorter life because they will not learn
how to look after themselves.
13. What does Hoff mean when he states that we must learn to “work with Things As They
Are?” (50)
He means that we should deal with and adjust to things in their pure form, instead of trying to
change them or find new ways.
14. What happens to people who do not listen to their Inner Nature? (57)
The people who don’t listen to their Inner Nature will easily lead them to the wrong path
because they won’t be able to understand themselves.
15. What is the Way of Self-Reliance? (57-8)
The Way of Self-Reliance is one in which starts with recognizing who we are, what we’ve got to
work with, and what works best for us.
16. How can we change ourselves effectively through the principles of Taoism? (58)
We can change ourselves through the principles of Taoism by making a good use of the
benefits by getting rid of the negatives and try to search for the path which suits us.
17. What is the Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way” according to Hoff? (67-8)
According to Hoff, Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way” means without doing, causing, or making. But in
practical speaking, it means without meddlesome, combative, or egotistical effort.
18. How does the quote, “Tao does not do, but nothing is not done,” explain Wu Wei or “The
Pooh Way?” (70)
It means that things just happen by nature, without meaning it to happen. Tao doesn’t try to do
things, but things just happen and end up in with a positive result.
19. How does Tai Chi reflect Wu Wei or Taoism as a martial art? (87-8)
Tai Chi reflects Wu Wei/ Taoism as a martial art which involves wearing your component down
by deflecting his way.
20. Are you a Bisy Backson? (94)
No, because Bisy Backson is very active, and wastes time by trying to save it. I don’t tend to do
that but rather, look ahead and deal with things ahead of me.
21. What is the Bisy Backson view of American history according to Hoff? (103-104)
Bisy Backson believes that he has to overcome things in order to progress and make changes
to everything.
22. How does the Bisy Backson waste time by trying to save it? (108-109)
As the Bisy Backson trying to save every bit of it, he ends up wasting the whole thing. And sine
he has practically no time at all, he was too busy wasting it by trying to save it.
23. What is the Youthful Immortal? (108-9)
Youthful Immortal is the idea that is been made when Taoist discovered the Secrets of Life and
it is divided into three things: a long life of youthful appearance, outlook, and energy.
24. What makes us happy in life the goals or the process we go through to reach the goals?
Why? (111)
Accomplishing the goals or processes we go through in life makes us happy. This is because
the sensation of actually finishing something gives you great happiness and a feeling to do
better. However, it’s also important to have further future goals, not to just be satisfied.
25. What is the significance of The Stonecutter? (118-9)
The Stonecutter is significant because it’s actually the most important, strongest character. It’s
just easy for people to disregard or not consider it as that. In the cycle he was the first, and in
fact he goes through changes until he is finally a rock.
26. Explain the significance of the following line from the Tao Te Ching: “From caring comes
courage.” (128)
This line is important in which shows how human psychology sort of works. People receive
kindness, they tend to appreciate it and therefore give it back. Kindness gives them more
courage to give kindness in return as well.
27. Where does one find Wisdom, Happiness and Courage? (137)
One finds wisdom/happiness/courage from a variety places, but it must be in the regular whole
cycle.
28. What is the “Great Nothing?” (143)
The Great Nothing is the main theme of Taoism, where having nothing is actually something;
doing nothing is actually something.
29. Why is an “Empty sort of mind” so valuable according to Taoism? (146-7)
An Empty sort of mind is valuable in Taosim since it enables to think from a more objective
perspective. In contrast, a filled, stuffed mind won’t be able to focus or concentrate as much.
Also, being empty is being pure and innocent - better than knowing everything.
30. Interpret the following quote: “To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain
wisdom, remove things every day.” (148-9)
This is a hard quote, where it shows that wisdom and IQ(knowledge) aren’t so much related. In
fact, the quote basically means that they are inversely related. In order to gain knowledge, you
just learn and learn, but there’s a certain limit. However, wisdom is perpetual, and an everlasting
thing. It’s only obtainable when you’re in an open mindset, where you are in an objective view
and accept things, and see everything in a wider view.
31. Why is the child the highest stage of development? (151)
The child is the highest stage of development since a child is innocent and pure, which means
they have an empty mind (not stupid!). When they age, they lose wisdom, and gain knowledge
due to nurturement,
32. Why may knowledge and cleverness destroy life as we know it? (154)
Knowledge and cleverness can destroy life as we know it since it creates chaos in which people
aren’t unique, and are unable to share thoughts or collaborate. Also, it would destroy the
wisdom since it affects how you view things; in other words, you get biased.