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.
Would all, who cherish such wild wishes, but look around them, they would oftenest find their sphere of duty, of prosperity, and happiness, within those precincts, and in that station where Providence itself has cast their lot. Happy they who read the riddle without a weary world-search, or a lifetime spent in vain!
We've been programmed, from the time that we were very, very little, about what we can't do - about what is impossible.
You see things less clearly when you open your eyes too wide.
Sounded like a load of waffle to me." "There was some important stuff hidden in the waffle.
I have found that words that are loaded with pathos and create a seductive euphoria are apt to promote nonsense.
Everyone is influenced by everybody but you bring it down home the way you feel it.
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