Tao Quotes - Page 12

• The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao. When rich speculators prosper While farmers lose their land; when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures; when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible while the poor have nowhere to turn- all this is robbery and chaos. It is not in keeping with the Tao.

  Laozi

  Government, Land, Class

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• From now back to antiquity, its (Tao's) name has not been lost. Thereby, see the origin of all.

  Laozi

  Names, Taoism, Lost

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• Although things seem to be sometimes going up and sometimes descending, sometimes slipping away, nevertheless there is a reality, the same today as in the past. It does not change, for nothing can affect it. Could we not say it is one great harmony? So why shouldn't we ask about it.

  Zhuangzi

  Past, Reality, Doe

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• The ancient Masters didn't try to educate the people, but kindly taught them to not-know. When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don't know, people can find their own way. If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich. The simplest pattern is the clearest. Content with an ordinary life, you can show all people the way back to their own true nature.

  Laozi

  Clever, Thinking, People

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• Without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world. Without looking out your window, you can see the essence of the Tao. The more you know, the less you understand. The Master arrives without leaving, sees the light without looking, achieves without doing a thing.

  Laozi

  Heart, Light, Doors

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• What is a good man? A teacher of a bad man. What is a bad man? A good man's charge?

  Laozi

  Teacher, Men, Good Man

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

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• The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world. That which has no substance enters where there is no space. This shows the value of non-action. Teaching without words, performing without actions: that is the Master's way.

  Laozi

  Teaching, Space, Overcoming

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• In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious, the earth is solid and full, all creature flourish together, content with the way they are, endlessly repeating themselves, endlessly renewed. When man interferes with the Tao, the sky becomes filthy, the earth becomes depleted, the equilibrium crumbles, creatures become extinct. The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as stone.

  Laozi

  Humility, Compassion, Men

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• True depth of understanding is wide and steady,
  Shallow understanding is lazy and wandering,
  Words of wisdom are precise and clear

  Zhuangzi

  Wisdom, Understanding, Lazy

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• The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of his enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people. All of the embody the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don't love to compete, but they do it in the spirit of play. In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao.

  Laozi

  Children, Athlete, Play

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• When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion. When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won't be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn.

  Laozi

  Confused, Teaching, People

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• My words are easy to understand and easy to perform,
  Yet no man under heaven knows them or practices them.

  Laozi

  Wisdom, Men, Practice

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

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• Darkness, whether in mood or in night, is natural.  So if we flow with the black bile of melancholia and endure the terrible darkness of depression, eventually we will break through into the light of joy.  This is the Tao (the Way) of darkness or depression--this is the Mystery of its evolution.

  Arnold Mindell

  Night, Light, Break Through

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• The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. 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. When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

  Laozi

  Thinking, Simple, Dwelling

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• Heaven is in everything: follow the light, hide in the cloudiness and begin in what is. Do this and your understanding will be like not understanding and your wisdom will be like not being wise. By not being wise you will become wise later.

  Zhuangzi

  Wise, Wisdom, Light

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• If the Tao could be served up, everyone would serve it up to their lords. If the Tao could be offered, there is no one who would not offer it to their parents. If the Tao could be spoken of, there is no one in the world who would not speak of it to their brothers and sisters. if the Tao could be passed on, there is no one who would not pass it on to their heirs. However, it obviously cannot be so and the reason is as follows. If there is no true centre within to receive it, it cannot remain;if there is no true direction outside to guide it,it cannot be received.

  Zhuangzi

  Brother, Parent, World

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• He who stands on tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace. He who makes a show is not enlightened. He who is self-righteous is not respected. He who boasts achieves nothing. He who brags will not endure. According to followers of the Tao, "These are extra food and unnecessary luggage." They do not bring happiness, therefore followers of the Tao avoid them.

  Laozi

  Self, Pace, Followers

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

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• Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up. Whoever embraces the Tao will not slip away. Her name will be held in honor from generation to generation. Let the Tao be present in your life and you will become genuine. Let it be present in your family and your family will flourish. Let it be present in your country and your country will be an example to all countries in the world. Let it be present in the universe and the universe will sing. How do I know this is true? By looking inside myself.

  Laozi

  Country, Names, Honor

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• When there is no more separation between 'this' and 'that,' it is called the still-point of the Tao. At the still point in the center of the circle one can see the infinite in all things.

  Zhuangzi

  Circles, Taoism, Spirituality

  Zhuangzi (1974). “Chuang tsu: Inner chapters”, Vintage Books USA

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• If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. Thus the Master is content to serve as an example and not to impose her will. She is pointed, but doesn't pierce. Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes.

  Laozi

  Country, Eye, People

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• The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things. All things have their backs to the female and stand facing the male. When male and female combine, all things achieve harmony. Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe.

  Laozi

  Hate, Men, Two

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• Tao can be used by anybody, but it does not beling to anyone. It is just like air; everyone can breathe the air, but no one can claim ownership of the air.

  Henry Chang

  Air, Doe, Breathe

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• There is a true Buddha in family life; there is a real Tao in everyday activities. If people can be sincere and harmonious, promoting communication with a cheerful demeanor and friendly words, that is much better than formal meditation practice.

  Zicheng Hong

  Real, Communication, Meditation Practice

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• The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to yin and yang. Yin and yang give birth to all things... The complete whole is the complete whole. So also is any part the complete whole... But forget about understanding and harmonizing and making all things one. The universe is already a harmonious oneness; just realize it.

  Laozi

  Oneness, Giving, Understanding

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• When you study the Tao Te Ching, you have to use your heart to try to imagine what Tao really is.

  Henry Chang

  Heart, Tao Te Ching, Trying

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