Daily Inspiration

In this clip from the pilot episode, Caine (David Carradine) is discussing life with a fellow expatriate. Their discussion touches on the unity of opposites, which is symbolised in Taoism as the yin-yang. The yin-yang is the most important concept in Taoism.

Caine also compares the Tao with water in this conversation. Water is a great analogy for the Tao since all life depends on water, yet water always takes the lowest position. Water would rather take the easy path around a mountain, than to force it's way through. Nothing is softer than water, but given enough time water will wear down the hardest rock and cut the deepest ravines.

Curiously, this is one of the many times throughout the series where "Tao" is seemingly mispronounced. I'm not sure if this was done intentionally, so as not to confuse a Western audience. However, the 'T' in Tao is normally pronounced as a 'D'. Depending on the translation system used, it is also sometimes written as 'Dao'.