The river and the sea can be kings of a hundred valleys, because they lie below them.
Interpretation
True strength and power often come from humility and being in a lower position.
This quote by Laozi highlights the idea that by being humble and lower than others, one can gain immense strength and influence. The river and the sea, though physically below the valleys, are powerful forces that nourish and give life to the land, illustrating the paradox that sometimes true greatness comes from the willingness to be modest and supportive.
In practice
In a speech about leadership at a conference, you might say, 'As Laozi expressed, the river and the sea can be kings of a hundred valleys, reminding us that true leaders often serve with humility.'
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 shadow escapes from the body like an animal we had been sheltering.
These are people who are capable of devotion, public devotion, to justice. They meant what they said and every day that passes, they mean it more.
But this people has deliberately made itself stupid, for nearly a millennium: nowhere have the two great European narcotics, alcohol and Christianity, been abused more dissolutely.
I don't believe that the public knows what it wants; this is the conclusion that I have drawn from my career.
If you're an actor, you tend to fool yourself into thinking you're much younger than you are because you're playing parts and behaving like a child all the time.
I think most of my approach to life has been like that, to find order in chaos, to be in the middle of a bunch of things happening at the same time, but find focus. I strive to be like the sun sitting in the middle of the solar system with all the planets spinning around it - millions of things going on. It's just sitting there being the sun, but exerting gravitational effect on everything. I think man should look at himself that way.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.