Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.
Interpretation
Seeking others' approval can lead to a loss of personal freedom.
This quote by Laozi emphasizes the idea that caring excessively about what others think can trap you in a cycle of seeking validation, ultimately compromising your autonomy and personal happiness. It suggests that true freedom comes from valuing your own beliefs and actions over the approval of others.
In practice
In a motivational speech about self-acceptance.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
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.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
If you're gonna make connections which are innovative... you have to not have the same bag of experiences as everyone else does.
Pain is a treasure, for it contains mercies.
Our people are slow to learn the wisdom of sending character instead of talent to Congress. Again and again they have sent a man of great acuteness, a fine scholar, a fine forensic orator, and some master of the brawls has crunched him up in his hands like a bit of paper.
Never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a house on it.
A bad day for the ego is a good day for the soul.
He who is his own guide is guided by a fool.
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