They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the isolation that people can experience despite being physically close to others.
Laozi's quote emphasizes the emotional distance that can exist in relationships, even when people live near each other. It suggests that mere proximity does not guarantee connection or understanding, and that without effort to engage and visit one another, individuals may lead lonely lives, aging and passing away without meaningful interactions.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of community engagement.
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.
What does open us is sharing our vulnerabilities. Sometimes we see a couple who has done this difficult work over a lifetime. In the process, they have grown old together. We can sense the enormous comfort, the shared quality of ease between these people. It is beautiful, and very rare. Without this quality of openness and vulnerability, partners don't really know each other; they are one image living with another image.
Networking is extremely masculine. It's a vulnerable thing to admit to, but even I experience feeling super insecure around certain masculine meetings. So, we put women in control. Women will make the first move on Bumble Bizz as well.
It was never my intention to marry anybody. Economics are basically the only reason to get married, but I'm very glad I did it.
The first time you marry for love, the second for money, and the third for companionship.
The remedy for most marital stress is not in divorce. It is in repentance and forgiveness, in sincere expressions of charity and service. It is not in separation. It is in simple integrity that leads a man and a woman to square up their shoulders and meet their obligations. It is found in the Golden Rule, a time-honored principle that should first and foremost find expression in marriage.
Just because somebody wants to be alone sometimes, it doesn't mean they don't love you.
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