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A tree that is unbending, is easily broken.

Laozi

The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.
LAOZI

Courses Go Letting World
He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that is worn out shall be renewed. He who has little shall succeed. He who has much shall go astray.
LAOZI

Empty Entire Humility Little Succeed
. . . the mind is desperate to fix the river {of events} in place: Possessed by ideas of the past, preoccupied with images of the future, it overlooks the plain truth of the moment.
LAOZI

Idea Past Possessed Truth
A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.
LAOZI

Fulfill Inspirational Leadership Wisdom
In ancient times, those who followed the Way did not try to give people knowledge thereof, but kept them ignorant.
LAOZI

Give Knowledge Ignorant People
Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man’s tools. He uses them only when he has no choice.
LAOZI

Choice Instrument Men Tool Weapon Wise
The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced.
LAOZI

Criminal Law Taoism
Good words shall gain you honor in the marketplace, but good deeds shall gain you friends among men.
LAOZI

Deed Honor Marketplace Men
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
Those who know are wise. Those who know themselves are enlightened.
LAOZI

Breathtaking Themselves Wisdom Wise
The farther you go, the less you know.
LAOZI

Country Emotion Knows Leadership People Wisdom
The world’s beginning is its mother. To have found the mother is also to know the children. Although you know the children, cling to the mother. Until your last day you will not be harmed.
LAOZI

Beginning Children Mother Taoism
Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world.
LAOZI

Compassion Heart Humility World
The ego is entranced by … names and ideas… However names and concepts only block your perception of this Great Oneness. Therefore it is wise to ignore them. Those who live inside their egos are continually bewildered.
LAOZI

Block Concept Name Perception Wise
Quarrel with a friend – and you are both wrong.
LAOZI

Friendship Quarrel Wrong
Make the small big and the few many.
LAOZI

Big Few Make Small Taoism

A tree that is unbending, is easily broken.

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A tree that is unbending, is easily broken.

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