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Laozi

Laozi

Laozi (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade-Giles: Laosi; also Lao Tse, Lao Tu, Lao-Tzu, Lao-Tsu, Laotze, Lao Zi, Laocius, and other variations) was a philosopher of ancient China and is a central figure in Taoism (also spelled "Daoism"). Laozi literally means "Old Master" and is generally considered...
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There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war.

There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war.

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He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm...

He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm...

He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily). (So), he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit...

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He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent...

He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent...

He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will. He...

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A violent wind does not last for a whole morning...

A violent wind does not last for a whole morning...

A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these (two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much...

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The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout...

The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout...

The full text of the quotation is: "The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys rose from a (small) heap of earth; the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single step." Thus great things start from the...

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The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.

The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.

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Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao...

Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao...

Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, earnestly carry it into practice. Scholars of the middle class, when they have heard about it, seem now to keep it and now to lose it. Scholars of the lowest class, when they have heard...

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The skillful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels...

The skillful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels...

The full text of the quotation is: "The skillful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps; the skillful speaker says nothing that can be found fault with or blamed; the skillful reckoner uses no tallies; the skillful closer needs no...

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In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.

In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.

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Favor and disgrace are like fear. Favor is in a higher place, and disgrace in a lower place. When you win them you are like being in fear, and when you lose them you are also like being in fear. So favor and disgrace are like fear.

Favor and disgrace are like fear. Favor is in a higher place, and disgrace in a lower place. When you win them you are like being in fear, and when you lose them you are also like being in fear. So favor and disgrace are like fear.

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When the best leader's work is done the people say, We did it ourselves.

When the best leader's work is done the people say, We did it ourselves.

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If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

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When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

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He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

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Nature is not human hearted.

Nature is not human hearted.

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He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

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He who knows he has enough is rich.

He who knows he has enough is rich.

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The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.

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Without stirring abroad, one can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window one can see the way of heaven. The further one goes the less one knows.

Without stirring abroad, one can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window one can see the way of heaven. The further one goes the less one knows.

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By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.

By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.

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To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.

To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.

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Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

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To lead people walk behind them.

To lead people walk behind them.

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He who is contented is rich.

He who is contented is rich.

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He who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.

He who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.

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Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.

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To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.

To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.

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The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them.

The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them.

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Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them -- that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them -- that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

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To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.

To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.

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He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.

He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.

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The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.

The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.

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Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding.

Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding.

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A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

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Because of a great love, one is courageous.

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

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For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions.

For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions.

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He who knows others is clever; He who knows himself has discernment.

He who knows others is clever; He who knows himself has discernment.

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A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth.

A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth.

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Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

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Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

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Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.

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All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

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People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.

People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.

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The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, We did it ourselves.

The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, We did it ourselves.

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He who tip-toes cannot stand; he who strides cannot walk.

He who tip-toes cannot stand; he who strides cannot walk.

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I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. 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.

I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. 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.

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The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.

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The sage does not hoard. Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more; having given all he has to others, he is richer still.

The sage does not hoard. Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more; having given all he has to others, he is richer still.

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Seek not happiness too greedily, and be not fearful of unhappiness.

Seek not happiness too greedily, and be not fearful of unhappiness.

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When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.

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It is the Vague and Elusive. Meet it and you will not see its head. Follow it and you will not see its back.

It is the Vague and Elusive. Meet it and you will not see its head. Follow it and you will not see its back.

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Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.

Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.

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A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him. But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: We did it ourselves.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him. But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: We did it ourselves.

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Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people's faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, We have done it ourselves.

Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people's faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, We have done it ourselves.

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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 traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants.

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To see things in the seed is genius.

To see things in the seed is genius.

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