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When the highest type of people hear Tao (Truth), they diligently practice it. When the average type of people hear Tao, they half believe in it. When the lowest type of people hear Tao, they laugh at it. If they did not laugh, it would not be Tao.

Laozi

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
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
To know you have enough is to be rich.
LAOZI

Country People Rich Simplicity
Excellent warriors are not violent.
LAOZI

Excellent Taoism Violent Warrior
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
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
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
In order to eliminate the negative influences, simply ignore them.
LAOZI

Ignore Influence Negative Order
Make the small big and the few many.
LAOZI

Big Few Make Small Taoism
Fail to honor people, they fail to honor you.
LAOZI

Fail Honor People
A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants.
LAOZI

Artist Good Intuition Need Person
Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.
LAOZI

Behind Compassion Humility
In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
LAOZI

Family Inspirational Motivational
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
The sage is not ill, because he sees illness as illness.
LAOZI

Health Illness Knowledge Sage Taoism
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

When the highest type of people hear Tao (Truth), they diligently practice it. When the average type of people hear Tao, they half believe in it. When the lowest type of people hear Tao, they laugh at it. If they did not laugh, it would not be Tao.

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When the highest type of people hear Tao (Truth), they diligently practice it. When the average type of people hear Tao, they half believe in it. When the lowest type of people hear Tao, they laugh at it. If they did not laugh, it would not be Tao.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Laozi Quotes