Lao Tzu Quotes
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Being a model to the world, eternal virtue will never falter in you, and you return to the boundless.
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Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.
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Virtue in its grandest aspect is neither more nor less than following reason.
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The truth often sounds paradoxical.
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We are all capable of much more than we think we are.
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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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If one desires to receive one must first give. This is called profound understanding.
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Before healing others, heal yourself.
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If people are not afraid of dying, why threaten them with death?
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Become totally empty Quiet the restlessness of the mind Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness
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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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The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for all beings. The Master stays behind; that is why she is ahead. She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them. Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled.
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The wise are not learned, the learned are not wise.
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It is better not to make merit a matter of reward Lest people conspire and contend.
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Behave simply and hold on to purity.
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There is no need to run outside for better seeing... Rather abide at the center of your being; For the more you leave it the less you learn. Search your heart and see... The way to do is to be.
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Act without expectation.
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A tree that can fill the span of a man's arms grows from a downy tip; A terrace nine stories high rises from level earth; A journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath one's feet.
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When merit has been achieved, do not take it to yourself; for if you do not take it to yourself, it shall never be taken from you.
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The things that have acquired unity are these: Heaven by unity has become clear; Earth by unity has become steady; The Spirit by unity has become spiritual; The Valley by unity has become full; All things by unity have come into existence.
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Yet mystery and reality emerge from the same source.
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He who knows he has enough is rich.
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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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Gentleness brings victory to him who attacks, and safety to him who defends. Those whom Heaven would save, it fences round with gentleness.