Lao Tzu Quotes
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In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.
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The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to yin and yang. Yin and yang give birth to all things... The complete whole is the complete whole. So also is any part the complete whole... But forget about understanding and harmonizing and making all things one. The universe is already a harmonious oneness; just realize it.
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Loss is not as bad as wanting more.
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He who stands on tiptoe doesn't stand firm. He who rushes ahead doesn't go far. He who tries to shine dims his own light. He who defines himself can't know who he really is. He who has power over others can't empower himself. He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures.
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The brittle is easy to shatter.
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A good traveler leaves no tracks. Good speech lacks fault-finding.
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When one gives whatever one can without restraint, the barriers of individuality break down. It no longer becomes possible to tell whether it is the student offering himself to the teacher, or the teacher offering herself to the student. One sees only two immaculate beings, reflecting one another like a pair of brilliant mirrors.
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When you let go of what you are, you become what you might be.
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Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
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It's hard to keep your balance standing tip-toe.
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Knowing that you do not know is the best. Not knowing that you do not know is an illness.
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If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.
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Thorn bushes grow where armies have camped.
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I do not act, and people become reformed by themselves.
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In order to contract, It is necessary first to expand. In order to weaken, It is necessary first to strengthen. In order to destroy, It is first necessary to promote. In order to grasp, It is necessary first to give. This is called subtle light. The weak and the tender overcome the hard and the strong.
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Without going out-of-doors, one can know all he needs to know. Without even looking out of his window, one can grasp the nature of everything. Without going beyond his own nature, one can achieve ultimate wisdom. Therefore, the intelligent man knows all he needs to know without going away, And sees all he needs to see without looking elsewhere, And does all he needs to do wihout undue exertion.
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Great talents ripen late; the highest notes are hard to hear.
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I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.
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Meandering leads to perfection.
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Cultivate virtue in yourself, and it will be true.
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When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises.
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The Tao is like a well; used but never used up.
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The world is a sacred vessel. It should not be meddled with. It should not be owned. If you try to meddle with it you will ruin it. If you try to own it you will lose it.
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When many people are killed, they should be mourned and lamented. Those who are victorious in war should follow the rites of funerals.