These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of caring, fairness, and humility as key virtues in life.
In this quote, Laozi highlights three essential qualities that he values above material possessions: caring for others, being fair in dealings, and maintaining humility. These virtues represent a deeper understanding of what it means to live a meaningful life, suggesting that true wealth lies in character and the quality of our interactions with others rather than in material goods or status.
In practice
During a leadership seminar, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of character over position.
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.
Only a life lived in a certain spirit is worth living. It is a remarkable fact that a life lived entirely from the ego is dull not only for the person himself but for all concerned.
A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.
The young have aspirations that never come to pass, the old have reminiscences of what never happened.
Where all pretend to be thinking alike, it's likely that no one is thinking at all.
I’ve always been a word guy, I like weird words and I like American slang and all that and words that are no longer being used… I like to drag them out of the box and wave them around… this is an interesting one, it’s amazing how in addition to punctuation just a little pause in the wrong place can just completely transform the meaning of something.
What suffering has taught me is the uselessness of suffering.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.