Its name-what passes not away.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that true essence and existence endure beyond temporal changes.
Laozi's saying reminds us that while physical forms and situations may change or fade away, the essential nature or 'name' of something is eternal. This reflects a fundamental idea in Taoist philosophy that emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying truths of existence beyond mere appearances and transient experiences.
In practice
During a graduation speech to inspire students about the enduring nature of knowledge.
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.
The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely under the control of external influences. Willful and predetermined though they appear, his actions are governed not from within, but from without. He is like a float tossed about by the waves of a turbulent sea.
The key fallacy of so called gun control laws is that such laws do not in fact control guns. They simply disarm law abiding citizens, while people bent on violence find firearms readily available.
It’s just like when you’ve got some coffee that’s too black, which means it’s too strong. What you do? You integrate it with cream; you make it weak. If you pour too much cream in, you won’t even know you ever had coffee. It used to be hot, it becomes cool. It used to be strong, it becomes weak. It used to wake you up, now it’ll put you to sleep.
As a nation, we may take pride in the fact that we are softhearted; but we cannot afford to be soft-headed.
If you want to know what a given society believes in, look at what its largest buildings are devoted to.
Is Wagner a human being at all? Is he not rather a disease? He contaminates everything he touches - he has made music sick.
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