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Take [preventive] action before things happen. Establish order before disorder has begun.

Laozi

The world’s big things only can be done by paying attention to their humble beginnings.
LAOZI

Attention Country Done Emotion Humble People
An integral being knows without going, sees without looking, and accomplishes without doing.
LAOZI

Accomplish Action Inspirational Integral
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
Filling all the way to the brim is not as good as halting in time.
LAOZI

Brim Fill Halt Taoism Way
If you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.
LAOZI

Everything Flock Mindfulness Wholeness
I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.
LAOZI

Knowledge Mind Understanding
Health is the greatest possession.
LAOZI

Health Possession Wealth
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
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
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
The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice.
LAOZI

Heart Matter People Trying Vice
Return animosity with virtue.
LAOZI

Animosity Compassion Return Taoism
Face the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big.
LAOZI

Inspirational Problem Simple Small
Every step is on the path.
LAOZI

Every Follow Journey Path Step Taoism
To rejoice in conquest is to rejoice in murder.
LAOZI

Conquest Murder Rejoice
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

Take [preventive] action before things happen. Establish order before disorder has begun.

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Take [preventive] action before things happen. Establish order before disorder has begun.

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