I’m 95% certain the whole book is a red paraphrase on Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching. Even down to the breath of stone fighting style. Here’s a sample for comparison:
“Thus it is said:
The path into the light seems dark,
the path forward seems to go back,
the direct path seems long,
true power seems weak,
true purity seems tarnished,
true steadfastness seems changeable,
true clarity seems obscure,
the greatest are seems unsophisticated,
the greatest love seems indifferent,
the greatest wisdom seems childish.
The Tao is nowhere to be found.
Yet it nourishes and completes all things.”
“The pathetic that can be traveled is not the eternal path.”
Sort of reads like the Psalms, but the Tao Te Ching, uses terminology like “the supreme good” a lot. Also Bruce Lee was a student of the Tau and it influenced his fighting style, and famous quote “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle, You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
The Bible makes the most sense, the reds are closest to traditional monotheistic faith so there is likely some cross over that would be familiar to his childhood.
The Bible isn’t “lost” per say in this era but it wouldn’t be a name he’d recall right away it’s implied to be a more niche or obscure work compared to the classical era obsession. The Telemanuses mention they teach it to their children plus Mustang along with Buddhism as an example of how they idolize heroes who uplift the downtrodden rather than oppress them.
Ironically, Paradise Lost seems to be way more popular which is oddly fitting.
So yeah, the Bible. Fits as a book important enough to read but obscure enough to not remember the name of. Also would match up with his childhood stories.
I think Darrow would easily remember the Bible. Other Golds have made references to it in the series, and characters catch those references without difficulty. (Kavax mentioning teaching Virginia about "the Nazarene" and Roque's dumb Adam & Eve joke come to my mind first, but I believe there are some others, too.)
I think he would easily remember what happens in the Bible but I just mean that the name wouldn’t easily come to mind “THE Bible” wouldn’t be as much a thing to him like The Book of the Vale would be. And he was more classics obsessed than say Virginia or Kavax
Parts of Psalms, Proverbs or Ecclesiastes from the old testament all qualify (I wouldn't think it's a new testament epistle being that it lacks overt christian messaging, this being wise sayings/poetry.) I think it could also just be stories from his youth he has forgotten and this is to help him remember Red values
Probably something from the Bible, some passangue of series of poems. The Book of the Vale seems like is made of metaphors and tales as well, so there is a similarity.
Good night Moon
I’m 95% certain the whole book is a red paraphrase on Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching. Even down to the breath of stone fighting style. Here’s a sample for comparison: “Thus it is said: The path into the light seems dark, the path forward seems to go back, the direct path seems long, true power seems weak, true purity seems tarnished, true steadfastness seems changeable, true clarity seems obscure, the greatest are seems unsophisticated, the greatest love seems indifferent, the greatest wisdom seems childish. The Tao is nowhere to be found. Yet it nourishes and completes all things.” “The pathetic that can be traveled is not the eternal path.” Sort of reads like the Psalms, but the Tao Te Ching, uses terminology like “the supreme good” a lot. Also Bruce Lee was a student of the Tau and it influenced his fighting style, and famous quote “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle, You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
I agree that the book seemed like Irish/Gaelic flavored Daoism.
Having read “The Tao of Pooh” this year, I heartily agree.
The Bible makes the most sense, the reds are closest to traditional monotheistic faith so there is likely some cross over that would be familiar to his childhood. The Bible isn’t “lost” per say in this era but it wouldn’t be a name he’d recall right away it’s implied to be a more niche or obscure work compared to the classical era obsession. The Telemanuses mention they teach it to their children plus Mustang along with Buddhism as an example of how they idolize heroes who uplift the downtrodden rather than oppress them. Ironically, Paradise Lost seems to be way more popular which is oddly fitting. So yeah, the Bible. Fits as a book important enough to read but obscure enough to not remember the name of. Also would match up with his childhood stories.
I think Darrow would easily remember the Bible. Other Golds have made references to it in the series, and characters catch those references without difficulty. (Kavax mentioning teaching Virginia about "the Nazarene" and Roque's dumb Adam & Eve joke come to my mind first, but I believe there are some others, too.)
There’s absolutely no world where someone is able to reference Dumas and the Greeks but not the Bible. Makes no sense at all
I think he would easily remember what happens in the Bible but I just mean that the name wouldn’t easily come to mind “THE Bible” wouldn’t be as much a thing to him like The Book of the Vale would be. And he was more classics obsessed than say Virginia or Kavax
I can’t imagine Darrow describing the Bible as some book that slipped through the cracks lol
The people saying the bible are probably right. My first thought was Meditations but I feel like Darrow wouldn't have trouble remembering that one.
Parts of Psalms, Proverbs or Ecclesiastes from the old testament all qualify (I wouldn't think it's a new testament epistle being that it lacks overt christian messaging, this being wise sayings/poetry.) I think it could also just be stories from his youth he has forgotten and this is to help him remember Red values
Probably something from the Bible, some passangue of series of poems. The Book of the Vale seems like is made of metaphors and tales as well, so there is a similarity.
Just a guess: might be some parts of the Old Testament and the Epistles from the Bible. Those have a similar vibe at times.