the TAO of TATTOOING 19

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



19

Discard the notion of managerial superiority,
and the artists will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away the illusion of morality,
and artists will do the right thing.
Abandon the concept of tattooing as industry for profit,
and artists wont steal from the studio.

These three concepts are detrimental to studio harmony.
Demonstrate respect for your artists,
tolerance and open-mindedness toward their views,
reduce selfish profit and support artist prosperity.