Racism approves of only some races.
Sexism approves of only some sexes.
Ageism approves of only some ages.
Lookism approves of only some looks.
Extremism approves of only some extremes.
Centrism approves of only some centers.
Dogmatism approves of only some dogmas.
Humanism approves of only some humans.
Intellectualism approves of only some intellectuals.
Criticism approves of only some critics.
Conservatism approves of only some conservatives.
Liberalism approves of only some liberals.
Catholicism approves of only some Catholics.
Protestantism approves of only some Protestants.
Buddhism approves of only some Buddhas.
Taoism approves of only some Taos.
Congregationalism approves of only some congregations.
Methodism approves of only some methods.
Patriotism approves of only some patriots.
Feminism approves of only some females.
Moralism approves of only some morals.
Alcoholism approves of only some alcohols.
Utopianism approves of only some utopias.
Realism approves of only some realities.
Theism approves of only some gods.
Atheism approves of only some not-gods.
written by Anonymous
Elfmagic
Ah the joys of dualism!
My Dog Sadie
This isn’t dualism–dualism being defined as the modern equivalent of zoroastrian dueling kingdoms of light and dark forces, headed by the “good” light side of Ahura Mazda and the “evil” Angra Mainyu.
This is closer to the Tao Te Ching, which says that “the Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.” The entire first chapter goes like this (trans. Stephen Mitchell):
“The tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.
The unnamable is the eternally real.
Naming is the origin
of all particular things.
Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.
Yet mystery and manifestations
arise from the same source.
This source is called darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gateway to all understanding.”
It’s ironic that the above passage includes the line “Taoism approves of only some taos” because the “tao” of the universe, meaning “way, path, or road,” is often not the line of thinking of Taoists or anybody else. So without meaning it this poem is quite Taoist in its descriptions of the limitations of the conceivable.