Lao Tzu Quotes
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The best way to manage anything is by making use of its own nature.
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To know people is wisdom, but to know yourself is enlightenment. to master people takes force, but to master yourself takes strength. to know contentment is wealth, and to live with strength resolve. to never leave whatever you are is to abide, and to die without getting lost- that is to live on and on.
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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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The Tao of the sage is work without effort.
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The sage knows himself, but does not parade. He cherishes himself, but does not praise himself.
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Pounding an edge to sharpness will not make it last.
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Weapons are not proper instruments for gentle people; they use them only when they have no other choice. Peace and quiet are what they value. They do not glory in victory.
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Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear. What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure? Whether you go up the ladder or down it, you position is shaky. When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance. What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear? Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear? See the world as your self. Have faith in the way things are. Love the world as your self; then you can care for all things.
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When taxes are too high, people go hungry.
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The Way is ever nameless.
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Some help others in order to receive blessings and admiration. This is simply meaningless. Some cultivate themselves in part to serve others, in part to serve their own pride. They will understand, at best, half of the truth. But those who improve themselves for the sake of the world - to these, the whole truth of the universe will be revealed.
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There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more.
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In the Universe the difficult things are done as if they were easy.
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Mastering others is strength. Mastering oneself makes you fearless.
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Kindness in words creates confidence.
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He who hoards much loses much.
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When you are one with loss, the loss is experienced willingly.
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Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear.
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Those who praise victory relish manslaughter. Those who relish manslaughter cannot reach their goals in the world.
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Seek not happiness too greedily and be not fearful of happiness.
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I have no desire to desire, and people become like the uncarved wood by themselves.
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When equal armies battle, the grieving one will be victorious.
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A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, the great country ought to yield.
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The reason for great distress is the body. Without it, what distress could there be?