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Laozi Quotes

Philosopher

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Famous Laozi Quotes

“If you understand others you are smart. If you understand yourself you are illuminated. If you overcome others you are powerful. If you overcome yourself you have strength. If you know how to be satisfied you are rich. If you can act with vigor, you have a will. If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting. If you die without loss, you are eternal.”

IfsKnowsLongDiesLosesLossPowerfulKnow HowRichEternalSmartOvercomingSatisfiedObjectivesLastingTaoVigorLong LastingHaving Strength
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“What honor can there be without humility? What heights can be reached without being low? The pieces of a chariot are useless unless the work in accordance with the whole A man's life brings nothing unless he lives in accordance with the whole universe Playing one's part in accordance with the universe is true humility So whether you're a gem in the royal court or a stone on the common path If you accept your part with humility the glory of the universe will be yours”

IfsMenLifeWholeUniverseCommonAcceptingPathPiecesHumilityHonorLowsGloryStonesCourtUselessHeightRoyalGemsChariotsTrue Humility
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“If you wish to become a divine immortal angel, then restore the angelic qualities of your being through virtue and service. This is the only way to gain the attention of the immortals... These angelic teachers cannot be sought out; it is they who seek out the student. When you succeed in connecting your energy with the divine realm through high awareness and the practice of undiscriminating virtue, the transmission of the ultimate subtle truths will follow.”

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“The ancient Masters didn't try to educate the people, but kindly taught them to not-know. When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don't know, people can find their own way. If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich. The simplest pattern is the clearest. Content with an ordinary life, you can show all people the way back to their own true nature.”

PeopleIfsThinkingKnowsWayWantTryingShowsDifficultAnswersRichTaughtMastersOrdinaryAncientPatternsGuidesCleverEducateTaoSimplestTrue NatureOrdinary Life
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“If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. Thus the Master is content to serve as an example and not to impose her will. She is pointed, but doesn't pierce. Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes.”

PeopleIfsTryingCountryEyeEasyResultsMoralHonestExampleMastersHigherComfortableIdealsLaysMiseryVicesToleranceTaoRepressionStraightforwardWill PowerRadiantPierceMaking People HappyCraftySuppleGroundwork
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“The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done. If powerful men and women could venter themselves in it, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace.”

PeopleIfsMenWorldDoeDoneWholeWould BeDesireNaturalSimplePowerfulMen And WomenAll ThingsHarmonyEverydayWhole WorldRhythmTransformedEveryday LifeTaoPowerful Man
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“Do you want to improve the world? I don't think it can be done. The world is sacred. It can't be improved. If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it. If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it. There is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind; a time for being in motion, a time for being at rest; a time for being vigorous, a time for being exhausted; a time for being safe, a time for being in danger. The Master sees things as they are, without trying to control them. She lets them go their own way, and resides at the center of the circle.”

IfsThinkingWorldWayWantTryingDoneLosesBehindsDangerObjectsMastersSafeTreatsSacredCirclesRuinsExhaustedTaoVigorous
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“The Tao can't be perceived. Smaller than an electron, it contains uncountable galaxies. If powerful men and women could remain centered in the Tao, all things would be in harmony. The world would become a paradise. All people would be at peace, and the law would be written in their hearts. When you have names and forms, know that they are provisional. When you have institutions, know where their functions should end. Knowing when to stop, you can avoid any danger. All things end in the Tao as rivers flow into the sea.”

PeopleIfsKnowsMenWorldShouldHeartEndsWould BeFormLawNamesPowerfulKnowingWrittenSeaDangerMen And WomenFlowAll ThingsRiversFunctionHarmonyInstitutionsParadiseTaoGalaxyElectronsPowerful Man
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“Express yourself completely, then keep quiet. Be like the forces of nature: when it blows, there is only wind; when it rains, there is only rain; when the clouds pass, the sun shines through. If you open yourself to the Tao, you are at one with the Tao and you can embody it completely. If you open yourself to insight, you are at one with insight and you can use it completely. If you open yourself to loss, you are at one with loss and you can accept it completely. Open yourself to the Tao, then trust your natural responses; and everything will fall into place.”

IfsUseFallForceNaturalLossAcceptingSunWindQuietRainShiningResponseCloudsBlowInsightTaoExpress YourselfForces Of NatureFall Into PlaceSun Shines
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“The heavy is the root of the light. The unmoved is the source of all movement. Thus the Master travels all day without leaving home. However splendid the views, she stays serenely in herself. Why should the lord of the country flit about like a fool? If you let yourself be blown to and fro, you lose touch with your root. If you let restlessness move you, you lose touch with who you are.”

IfsShouldCountryHomeLightMovingLosesViewsLordMovementMastersSourceFoolRootsWho You AreLeavingHeavyTaoSplendidRestlessnessLeaving Home
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“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is. Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light. What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you don't understand this, you will get lost, however intelligent you are. It is the great secret.”

PeopleIfsMenWantMindUseLightJobsArtistLostSecretSituationTeacherPlansReadyMastersWasteConceptsScientistIntelligentAvailableIntuitionFixedRejectsGood ManTravelerTaoArrivingGood ArtBad ManTao Te ChingGood ArtistTao Ching
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“Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return. Each separate being in the universe returns to the common source. Returning to the source is serenity. If you don't realize the source, you stumble in confusion and sorrow. When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused, kindhearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king. Immersed in the wonder of the Tao, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death comes, you are ready.”

IfsMindHeartUniverseRealizingDealsCommonWonderWatchesReadySourceReturnKingsSorrowEmptyConfusionGrandmotherContemplatingSerenityTaoTurmoilAmusedDisinterestedWhere You Come
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“If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal. The Master leads by emptying people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know. Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.”

PeopleIfsThinkingKnowsMenMindHelpingDesireFallLosesPracticeMastersAmbitionPossessionCoreStealingConfusionGreat MenResolvePowerlessTaoFillingWeakeningFall Into Place
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