Lao Tzu Quotes
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Prepare while it's easy.
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All men desire to free themselves solely from death; they do not know how to free themselves from life.
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Great talents ripen late; the highest notes are hard to hear.
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Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear.
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The reason for great distress is the body. Without it, what distress could there be?
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By not claiming to be first in the world one can rule.
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Without going outside, you may know the whole world, without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven. The farther you go, the less you know. Thus the sage knows without traveling; he sees without looking; he works without doing.
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The truly great ones rely on substance, and not on surface, hold on to the fruit, and not to the flower.
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The noble must make humility his root.
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When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
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As soon as rules were made, names were given. There are already many names. One must know when it is enough.
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Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up. Whoever embraces the Tao will not slip away. Her name will be held in honor from generation to generation. Let the Tao be present in your life and you will become genuine. Let it be present in your family and your family will flourish. Let it be present in your country and your country will be an example to all countries in the world. Let it be present in the universe and the universe will sing. How do I know this is true? By looking inside myself.
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The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more; having given all he has to others, he is richer still.
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Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.
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The progress of the Way seems retreating.
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The wise does not think that only he is right -thus he knows the truth.
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In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.
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Nothing and no one in the world is valuable or worthless.
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Those who boast are not respected.
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If you want to be given everything, give everything up.
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Take care of what is difficult while it is still easy, and deal with what will become big while it is yet small.
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He does not praise himself - yet he is respectable.
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Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world.
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Other people have more than they need, I alone seem wanting.