The sage's Way is to act and not to contend.
Interpretation
The wise approach is to take action without engaging in conflict.
This quote by Laozi emphasizes the importance of acting with wisdom and intention rather than getting caught up in competition or conflict. It suggests that true strength comes from pursuing one's path and goals without the need to confront or oppose others, promoting a sense of inner peace and clarity in one's actions.
In practice
This quote can be used in a leadership seminar to inspire managers to lead by example without confrontation.
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.
Fair play with others is primarily the practice of not blaming them for anything that is wrong with us. We tend to rub our guilty conscience against others the way we wipe dirty fingers on a rag. This is as evil a misuse of others as the practice of exploitation.
The humiliation I go through/when I think of my past/can only be described as grace./We are created by being destroyed.
What is not brought to consciousness, comes to us as fate.
In proportion as the exploitation of one individual by another is put an end to, the exploitation of one nation by another will also be put an end to. In proportion as the antagonism between classes within the nation vanishes, the hostility of one nation to another will come to an end.
The only reason I'm in Hollywood is that I don't have the moral courage to refuse the money.
Art thou angry with him whose armpits stink? Art thou angry with him whose mouth smells foul?
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