Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them... If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility. If he would lead them, he must follow behind. In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed.
Interpretation
True leadership involves humility and selflessness.
This quote by Laozi emphasizes the importance of humility in leadership. It suggests that a wise leader, like the sea that nurtures many streams, should not seek to dominate but instead serve the people from a position of humility. By adopting this approach, the leader ensures that the people feel free and unoppressed, thus fostering a harmonious community.
In practice
In a speech about community service, one might cite this quote to emphasize the importance of serving others.
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.
One's self-satisfaction is an untaxed kind of property which it is very unpleasant to find deprecated.
During the Arab Spring, I learned all sorts of things from Twitter. I wouldn't necessarily trust that information, but it gave me ideas about questions to ask. You can really learn things from the wisdom of crowds.
Because men have a history, it is difficult for them to imagine what it is like to grow up without one, or the sense of personal expansion that comes from discovering that we women have a worthy heritage. Along with pride often comes rage β rage that one has been deprived of such a significant knowledge.
Chess is so inspiring that I do not believe a good player is capable of haviong an evil thought during the game.
Truth is the baby of the world. It never gets old.
People say that practicing Zen is difficult, but there is a misunderstanding as to why. It is not difficult because it is hard to sit in the cross- legged position, or to attain enlightenment. It is difficult because it is hard to keep our mind pure and our practice pure in its fundamental sense.
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