If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal. The Master leads by emptying people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know. Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the dangers of excessive admiration for power and material wealth, suggesting that true leadership involves liberating people from misguided desires.
Laozi's quote highlights the consequences of idolizing great figures and valuing material possessions excessively. Such attitudes can render individuals powerless or lead them to unethical behavior, like theft. Instead, the 'Master' leader guides others by encouraging them to empty their minds of superficial desires and ambitions, fostering a deeper resilience within. By advocating for a practice of 'not-doing,' Laozi suggests that by letting go of rigid control and expectation, natural order and harmony can emerge in life.
In practice
During a seminar on leadership, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of humility and selflessness in guiding others.
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.
When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick
Those who make no mistakes are making the biggest mistakes of all - they are attempting nothing new.
The Element is about discovering your self, and you can't do this if you're trapped in a compulsion to conform. You can't be yourself in a swarm.
God knows how many things a man misses by becoming smug and assuming that matters will take their own course.
People will never know how hard it is to get information, especially if it's locked up behind official doors where, if politicians had their way, they'd stamp 'top secret' on the color of the walls.
He who acknowledges a kindness has it still, and he who has a grateful sense of it has requited it.
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