the TAO of TATTOOING 17

Foreword

In this series of blog entries I will offer my fledgling, humble interpretations of Lao-Tsu's 81 chapters of the Tao te ching, as it applies to tattooing.  I am in no way attempting to represent myself as a master of Taoist philosophy, however Lao-Tsu's teachings have inspired me for several decades, and I often look to them for inspiration in dealing with the many challenges of my chosen profession.
   I intend to find my way through each of the chapters, and compile them here in my blog until they are complete, at which time I will publish them in book form for my friends and colleagues in tattooing. I hope that my interpretations might assist and inspire my peers, my clients, my friends, to better understand tattooing, and the meaningful impact it has on all of our lives.  And if perhaps these interpretations lead anyone back to the original teachings of Lao-Tsu, well then I will have truly done something to enrich the world.

the TAO of TATTOOING


17

When a Master tattooer manages the shop,
the artists are hardly aware that he is the manager.
Next best is a manager who is loved.
Next is a manager who is feared.
The worst is one who is despised.

If you don't trust your artists,
you make them untrustworthy.

The Master tattooer behaves no differently
than he wants his artists to behave.
In this model the business will flourish,
the artists are happy,
they take pride in their work,
they feel loyalty toward the studio.