Because he (the Sage) opposes no one, no one in the world can oppose him.
Interpretation
The wise person does not engage in conflict, which leads to a peaceful existence and avoids opposition.
This quote by Laozi illustrates the power of non-resistance and acceptance in life. It suggests that a person who does not oppose others or engage in conflict creates an atmosphere where others cannot oppose them, leading to harmony and strength through passive resilience.
In practice
In a discussion about conflict resolution, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of non-resistance.
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.
Anything can become excusable when seen from the standpoint of the result
The town has a sense, not of history, but of time, and the telephone poles seem to know this. If you lay your hand against one, you can feel the vibration from the wires deep within the wood, as if souls had been imprisoned in there and were struggling to get out.
And in truth (as I now see) I had the wish to put off my journey as long as I could. Not for any peril or labour it might cost; but because I could see nothing in the whole world for me to do once it was accomplished. AS long as this act lay before me, there was, as it were, some barrier between me and the dead desert which the rest of my life must be.
God has put within our lives meanings and possibilities that quite outrun the limits of mortality.
Why do we argue? Life's so fragile, a successful virus clinging to a speck of mud, suspended in endless nothing.
A Conspiracy of silence speaks louder than words.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.