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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

Giving birth and nourishing, Bearing yet not possessing, Working yet not taking credit, Leading yet not dominating, This is the Primal Virtue.
LAOZI

Country Credit Giving Lead People Tke
One cannot reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.
LAOZI

Inspirational Internal Peace Spiritual
All action begins in rest… This is the ultimate truth.
LAOZI

Action Truth Ultimate
Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength
LAOZI

Motivational Strength Wisdom
Happiness perches on misery. Misery crouches beneath happiness.
LAOZI

Crouch Happiness Misery
Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.
LAOZI

Behind Compassion Humility
He who has achieved this state Is unconcerned with friends and enemies, With good and harm, with honor and disgrace. This therefore is the highest state of man.
LAOZI

Enemy Friend Friendship Honor Men Unconcern
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
To lead, one must follow.
LAOZI

Follow Leadership Must People Vlife
Take [preventive] action before things happen. Establish order before disorder has begun.
LAOZI

Action Begun Establish Happen Order
Heavy is the root of light.
LAOZI

heavy Light Root Taoism
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 more weapons of violence, the more misery to mankind. The triumph of violence ends in a festival of mourning.
LAOZI

Mourn Triumph Weapon
. . . 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
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
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

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

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