Lao Tzu Quotes
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When superior people hear of the Way, they carry it out with diligence. When middling people hear of the Way, it sometimes seems to be there, sometimes not. When lesser people hear of the Way, they ridicule it greatly. If they didn't laugh at it, it wouldn't be the Way.
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To know and not to do is not yet to know.
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The wise man, after learning something new, is afraid to learn anything more until he has put his first lesson into practice.
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Those who seek knowledge, collect something every day. Those who seek the Way, let go of something every day.
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All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.
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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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Every step is on the path.
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The Great Vessel takes long to complete.
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Those who know others are intelligent Those who know themselves have insight. Those who master others have force Those who master themselves have strength.Those who know what is enough are wealthy. Those who persevere have direction. Those who maintain their position endure. And those who die and yet do not perish, live on.
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Excellent soldiers are not furious.
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All things of the world are born of being; being is born of nonbeing.
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Virtue in its grandest aspect is neither more nor less than following reason.
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When family ties are disturbed, devoted children arise.
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The Way of Tao is this: It strives not, but conquers; It speaks not, but all is made clear; It summons not, but its house is crowded; It contrives not, but the design is perfect.
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The good man is the teacher of the bad, And the bad is the material from which the good may learn. He who does not value the teacher, Or greatly care for the material, Is greatly deluded although he may be learned. Such is the essential mystery.
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If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind.
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Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose.
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Everything in the universe is created from something, which in turn is created from nothing.
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A foolish man is always doing, Yet much remains to be done.
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Only those who leisurely approach that which the masses are busy about can be busy about that which the masses take leisurely.
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If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve. Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter's place. When you handle the master carpenter's tools, chances are that you'll cut your hand.
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Behave simply and hold on to purity.
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It is better not to make merit a matter of reward Lest people conspire and contend.
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The purest white seems stained.