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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

Happiness perches on misery. Misery crouches beneath happiness.
LAOZI

Crouch Happiness Misery
To be constantly without desire is the way to have a vision of the mystery of heaven and earth. For constantly to have desire is the means by which their limitations are seen.
LAOZI

Heaven Mean Vision
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
Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength
LAOZI

Motivational Strength Wisdom
Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.
LAOZI

Behind Compassion Humility
Take [preventive] action before things happen. Establish order before disorder has begun.
LAOZI

Action Begun Establish Happen Order
Make the small big and the few many.
LAOZI

Big Few Make Small Taoism
Nature is not human hearted.
LAOZI

Enlightening Hearted Nature
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
LAOZI

Determination Motivational Smart
Meandering leads to perfection.
LAOZI

Hike Journey Meander Perfection
Make your heart like a lake, with calm, still surface, and great depths of kindness.
LAOZI

Depth Heart Inspirational Kindness
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 sage knows himself, but does not parade. He cherishes himself, but does not praise himself.
LAOZI

Cheish Sage Taoism
Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose.
LAOZI

Fail Loses Seize Taoism
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.
LAOZI

Arrive Artist Change Good Intuition
Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world.
LAOZI

Compassion Heart Humility World

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.

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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.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Laozi Quotes