Mariah Carey As A Daoist

Mariah Carey's "Hero" is, to me, especially unique and deeply profound. It is a pop song without a love interest, a ballad without a heartbreak. It has essentially one subject: the self. It is about your power to find meaning and serenity within yourself. It is a call for introspection ("look inside your heart"), not usually the kind of exhortation found in a Billboard #1 (which it was). To emphasize the special beauty and fundamental wisdom of this message, I've juxtaposed the lyrics with quotes from Lao Tzu, the author of the Tao Te Ching. Bc combining 2 of my fav things is 1 of my fav things. Also, the "Lord knows" part @ 2:37 is one of my favorite invocations of the gospel tradition in modern pop music IMHO. Anyway here's the splice:

Mariah Carey "Hero":
You can find love If you search within yourself And the emptiness you felt Will disappear

Lao Tzu: Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

Mariah Carey "Hero":
Dreams are hard to follow But don't let anyone Tear them away

Lao Tzu: 
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

Mariah Carey "Hero":
Hold On There will be tomorrow In time you'll find the way

Lao Tzu:
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

Mariah Carey "Hero":
You don't have to be afraid Of what you are

Lao Tzu:
At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.

Mariah Carey "Hero": 
Look inside you and be strong

Lao Tzu: 
Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.