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The past has no power to stop you from being present now. Only your grievance about the past can do that. What is grievance? The baggage of old thought and emotion.

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
Make the small big and the few many.
LAOZI

Big Few Make Small Taoism
The master accomplishes more and more by doing less and less until finally he accomplishes everything by doing nothing.
LAOZI

Accomplish Doing Master Nothing
A tree that is unbending, is easily broken.
LAOZI

Acceptance Broken Heart Tree
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
A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.
LAOZI

Care Clay Form Space Vessel
Take [preventive] action before things happen. Establish order before disorder has begun.
LAOZI

Action Begun Establish Happen Order
Some lose yet gain, others gain and yet lose
LAOZI

Gain Inspirational Lose People Some
Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength
LAOZI

Motivational Strength Wisdom
The more weapons of violence, the more misery to mankind. The triumph of violence ends in a festival of mourning.
LAOZI

Mourn Triumph Weapon
Heavy is the root of light.
LAOZI

heavy Light Root Taoism
Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still. The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return. They grow and flourish and then return to the source. Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.
LAOZI

Animal Empty Everything Fall Nature
Excellent warriors are not violent.
LAOZI

Excellent Taoism Violent Warrior
The light of the Way seems dim.
LAOZI

Dim Light Reflection Taoism Way
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
I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.
LAOZI

Knowledge Mind Understanding
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
Make your heart like a lake, with calm, still surface, and great depths of kindness.
LAOZI

Depth Heart Inspirational Kindness
Health is the greatest possession.
LAOZI

Health Possession Wealth
Every step is on the path.
LAOZI

Every Follow Journey Path Step Taoism
Meandering leads to perfection.
LAOZI

Hike Journey Meander Perfection
Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.
LAOZI

Imperfect Perfection Taoism
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
Face the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big.
LAOZI

Inspirational Problem Simple Small
The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.
LAOZI

Flame Inspirational Long Philosophy
If you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.
LAOZI

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

Attention Country Done Emotion Humble People

The past has no power to stop you from being present now. Only your grievance about the past can do that. What is grievance? The baggage of old thought and emotion.

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The past has no power to stop you from being present now. Only your grievance about the past can do that. What is grievance? The baggage of old thought and emotion.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Laozi Quotes