Lao Tzu Quotes
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See others as yourself. See families as your family. See towns as your town. See countries as your country. See worlds as your world.
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The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.
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The Way to Heaven has no favorites. It is always with the good man.
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To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.
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Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking. Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power. Not that it isn't there, but you'll be able to step out of its way. Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.
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Keeping plenty of gold and jade in the palace makes no one able to defend it.
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I observe myself and I come to know others.
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Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.
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Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.
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I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any.
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If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
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Those who are unswerving have resolve.
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If you go searching for the Great Creator, you will come back empty-handed. The source of the universe is ultimately unknowable, a great invisible river flowing forever through a vast and fertile valley. Silent and uncreated, it creates all things.
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The more we give to others, the more we are increased.
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The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the Named is the mother of all things.
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If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind.
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We put thirty spokes to make a wheel: But it is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges. We make a vessel from a lump of clay; But it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful. We make doors and windows for a room; But it is the empty spaces that make the room livable. Thus, while existence has advantages, It is the emptiness that makes it useful.
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Life is going forth; death is returning home.
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People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.
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Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.
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The highest virtue seems as low as a valley.
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A violent wind does not outlast the morning; a squall of rain does not outlast the day. Such is the course of Nature. And if Nature herself cannot sustain her efforts long, how much less can man!
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Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
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The fish cannot leave the deep waters. The state's weaponry should not be displayed.