Abstract

Editor’s: This text is the partial translation of one of the nine chapters from the self-improvement book titled The Art of Being Muddled in Social Conduct and Handling Affairs. This chapter in particular discusses “being muddled” as an efficient, harmony-oriented philosophy of life for navigating more positively through life and for obtaining inner peace of mind. The domains of life covered range from family life to business negotiations, and almost en passant, life issues as serious as suicide. All statements and advice are illustrated with anecdotes, events, and quotes from mostly Chinese but also Japanese and Western philosophy, literature, and history. Sometimes comparisons with phenomena in the natural world are made. The author explains “the art of being/pretending to be muddled” as expressed in virtues such as forgiveness, moderation, deference, tolerance, inner firmness and external flexibility, and wisdom. Ultimately, feigned muddledness is presente...