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.
It is necessary ... for a man to go away by himself ... to sit on a rock ... and ask, 'Who am I, where have I been, and where am I going?
No honest man will argue on every side
Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you will meet many people of my age and older who confuse the two. Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone's control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes.
The thought came over me that never would one full and absolute moment, containing all the others, justify my life, that all of my instants would be provisional phases, annihilators of the past turned to face the future, and that beyond the episodic, the present, the circumstantial, we were nobody.
Meditation is not growth of the ego, it is death of the ego.
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.
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