Lao Tzu Quotes
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Man is ruled by Earth. Earth is ruled by Heaven. Heaven is ruled by the Way. The Way is ruled by itself.
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Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice. Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter his heart. Because he has given up helping, he is people's greatest help. True words seem paradoxical.
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Can you care for the people and rule the country and not be cunning?
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He does not struggle with anyone - thus no one can vanquish him.
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It (Tao) is eternally without desire. So, it can be called small. All things return to it, although it does not make itself their ruler. So, it can be called great.
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Keep your mouth shut, and close up the doors of sight and sound, and as long as you live you will have no vexation. But open your mouth, or become inquisitive, and you will be in trouble all your life long.
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Do not attempt to conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance.
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If you worry more for others' beliefs, then you will be their slave.
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There is no greater crime than desire.
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If you want to be given everything, give everything up.
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Hold on to the ancient Way to master the present, and to learn the distant beginning.
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Simple, like uncarved wood.
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The small is easy to scatter.
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The transformation toward eternal life is gradual. The heavy gross energy of body, mind, and spirit must first be purified and uplifted. When the energy ascends... then self mastery can be sought.
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Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by starting with it when small.
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People turn their eyes and ears to him (the sage), and the sage cares for them like his own children.
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The sense organs, which are limited in scope and ability, randomly gather information. This partial information is arranged into judgments, which are based on previous judgments, which are usually based on someone else's foolish ideas. These false concepts and ideas are then stored in a highly selective memory system.
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Those who know are not learned. Those who are learned do not know.
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Excellent soldiers are not furious.
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When bitter enemies make peace, surely some bitterness remains.
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Gently eliminating all obstacles to his own understanding, he constantly maintains his unconditional sincerity. His humility, perseverance, and adaptability evoke the response of the universe and fill him with divine light.
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Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory. - Diane Arbus By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.
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Do you think you can make the world a better place? I do not think you can. It is already perfect.
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Those who boast are not respected.