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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

The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced.
LAOZI

Criminal Law Taoism
Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over the world.
LAOZI

REquired Take Taoism Temper World
The master accomplishes more and more by doing less and less until finally he accomplishes everything by doing nothing.
LAOZI

Accomplish Doing Master Nothing
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
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
Meet the big while it is small.
LAOZI

Big People Small Taoism
A foolish man is always doing, Yet much remains to be done.
LAOZI

Done Foolish Man Mad Result
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
An integral being knows without going, sees without looking, and accomplishes without doing.
LAOZI

Accomplish Action Inspirational Integral
Not praising the deserving prevents envy.
LAOZI

Envy Praise Prevent Taoism
If you want to be given everything, give everything up.
LAOZI

Ching Country People Give Life Taoism
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
Make your heart like a lake, with calm, still surface, and great depths of kindness.
LAOZI

Depth Heart Inspirational Kindness
Softness triumphs over hardness, feebleness over strength. What is more malleable is always superior over that which is immoveable. This is the principle of controlling things by going along with them, of mastery through adaptation.
LAOZI

Mastery Principles Superior Triumph
The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right, all things depend on it to exist, and it does not abandon them. To its accomplishments it lays no claims. It loves and nourished all things, but does not lord it over them.
LAOZI

Abandon Accomplishment Inspirational
Become totally empty Quiet the restlessness of the mind Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness
LAOZI

Emptiness Inspirational Mind

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