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When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.

Laozi

Not praising the deserving prevents envy.
LAOZI

Envy Praise Prevent Taoism
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
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
The transformation toward eternal life is gradual. The heavy gross energy of body, mind, and spirit must first be purified and uplifted. When the energy ascends… then self mastery can be sought.
LAOZI

Energy Mind Purify Self
Excellent warriors are not violent.
LAOZI

Excellent Taoism Violent Warrior
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
I am wearied, as if I lacked a home to go to.
LAOZI

Compassion Home Lack Taoism
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
LAOZI

Self Esteem Spiritual Wisdom
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
LAOZI

Determination Motivational Smart
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
That the soft overcomes the hard, and the yielding overcomes the resistant, is a fact known by all, but practiced by few.
LAOZI

Fact Known Overcoming Practice
To know you have enough is to be rich.
LAOZI

Country People Rich Simplicity
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
Filling all the way to the brim is not as good as halting in time.
LAOZI

Brim Fill Halt Taoism Way
Make your heart like a lake, with calm, still surface, and great depths of kindness.
LAOZI

Depth Heart Inspirational Kindness
There was something that finished chaos, born before Heaven and Earth.
LAOZI

Earth Finish Heaven Something Taoism

When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.

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When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.

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Popular Authors

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