Lao Tzu Quotes
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All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.
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Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn't try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every force there is a counterforce. Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. The Master does his job and then stops. He understands that the universe is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao. Because he believes in himself, he doesn't try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn't need others' approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him.
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The separate parts make no carriage.
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He who knows others is clever; He who knows himself has discernment.
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He who has no faith in others shall find no faith in them.
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The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth.
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Nature is not human hearted.
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One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things but moves in harmony with the present moment.
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The sage wears clothes of coarse cloth but carries jewels in his bosom; He knows himself but does not display himself; He loves himself but does not hold himself in high esteem.
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Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.
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To become learned, each day add something. To become enlightened, each day drop something.
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Yet mystery and imagination arise from the same source. This source is called darkness ... Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.
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Favor and disgrace are like fear. Favor is in a higher place, and disgrace in a lower place. When you win them you are like being in fear, and when you lose them you are also like being in fear. So favor and disgrace are like fear.
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Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and people will return to the family ties.
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New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.
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Prepare for the difficult while it is still easy. Deal with the big while it is still small. Difficult undertakings have always started with what easy. Great undertakings always started with what is small. Therefore the sage never strives for the great,And thereby the great is achieved.
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To practice virtue is to selflessly offer assistance to others, giving without limitation one's time, abilities, and possessions in service, whenever and wherever needed, without prejudice concerning the identity of those in need.
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Simply see that you are at the center of the universe, and accept all things and beings as parts of your infinite body. When you perceive that an act done to another is done to yourself, you have understood the great truth.
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The superior leader keeps informed about everything but interferes hardly at all.
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When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.
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The further one goes, the less (he realizes he) one knows.
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First, we must do our own personal work, then we tend the necessary work of our family, then our community, then the world.
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Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.
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The wise man puts himself last and finds himself first.