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Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.

Laozi

Not praising the deserving prevents envy.
LAOZI

Envy Praise Prevent Taoism
There was something that finished chaos, born before Heaven and Earth.
LAOZI

Earth Finish Heaven Something Taoism
Return animosity with virtue.
LAOZI

Animosity Compassion Return Taoism
Not all spiritual paths lead to the harmonious Oneness. Indeed, most are detours and distractions, nothing more.
LAOZI

Detours Distraction Oneness Spiritual
Filling all the way to the brim is not as good as halting in time.
LAOZI

Brim Fill Halt Taoism Way
Every step is on the path.
LAOZI

Every Follow Journey Path Step Taoism
What people loathe the most is to be orphaned, desolate, unworthy. But this is what princes and kings call themselves.
LAOZI

Abandon Kings People Sell Taoism
To lead, one must follow.
LAOZI

Follow Leadership Must People Vlife
Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.
LAOZI

Army Before Humility Leadership Other Put
Man’s enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.
LAOZI

Enemy Human Inspirational Men
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
When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people’s hearts.
LAOZI

Heart Love People Realize
The seed of mystery lies in muddy water. How can I perceive this mystery? Water becomes clear through stillness. How can I become still? By flowing with the stream.
LAOZI

Lying Mystery Stillness Water
Wear down to be renewed.
LAOZI

Country Life People Renew Taoism
If you want to be given everything, give everything up.
LAOZI

Ching Country People Give Life Taoism
If you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.
LAOZI

Everything Flock Mindfulness Wholeness
. . . 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
Good words shall gain you honor in the marketplace, but good deeds shall gain you friends among men.
LAOZI

Deed Honor Marketplace Men
From caring comes courage.
LAOZI

Being Inspirational Inspiring Strong
No disaster is worse than being discontented.
LAOZI

Disaster Tao Taoism
The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.
LAOZI

Flame Inspirational Long Philosophy
Nature is not human hearted.
LAOZI

Enlightening Hearted Nature
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
Face the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big.
LAOZI

Inspirational Problem Simple Small
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
LAOZI

Determination Motivational Smart
Those who know are wise. Those who know themselves are enlightened.
LAOZI

Breathtaking Themselves Wisdom Wise
When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.
LAOZI

Perceive Sage Taoism Use

Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.

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Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.

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