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The sage acts by doing nothing.

Laozi

Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still. The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return. They grow and flourish and then return to the source. Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.
LAOZI

Animal Empty Everything Fall Nature
The great image lacks shape.
LAOZI

Condition Great Image Look Shape Taoism
Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them… If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility. If he would lead them, he must follow behind. In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed.
LAOZI

Below Humility King Lying People
Fail to honor people, they fail to honor you.
LAOZI

Fail Honor People
Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.
LAOZI

Behind Compassion Humility
Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world.
LAOZI

Compassion Heart Humility World
If you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.
LAOZI

Everything Flock Mindfulness Wholeness
See others as yourself. See families as your family. See towns as your town. See countries as your country. See worlds as your world.
LAOZI

Compassion Country Taoism Town
Not praising the deserving prevents envy.
LAOZI

Envy Praise Prevent Taoism
When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.
LAOZI

Deep Honor Inspirational Life
From caring comes courage.
LAOZI

Being Inspirational Inspiring Strong
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
LAOZI

Manipulation Mind Serenity Taoism
If you want to be given everything, give everything up.
LAOZI

Ching Country People Give Life Taoism
Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose.
LAOZI

Fail Loses Seize Taoism
In the highest antiquity, the people did not know that there were rulers. In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them.
LAOZI

Age Next People Praise
The great Way is all-pervading. It reaches to the left and to the right. All things depend on it with their existence. Still it demands no obedience.
LAOZI

Demand Depend Reach Taoism Thing Way

The sage acts by doing nothing.

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The sage acts by doing nothing.

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