The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done. If powerful men and women could venter themselves in it, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace.
Interpretation
The Tao emphasizes the importance of effortless action and harmony with the natural order of life.
This quote by Laozi highlights the concept of the Tao, which suggests that true power lies in non-action and being in harmony with the natural flow of life. It implies that if influential leaders embraced this philosophy, the world would undergo a profound transformation, leading to contentment and peace among people, free from the turmoil of desires and ambitions.
In practice
During a mindfulness workshop, this quote can be used to illustrate the concept of living in the moment.
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.
Africa’s story has been written by others; we need to own our problems and solutions and write our story.
The technocrat is the natural friend of the dictator—computers and dictatorship; but the revolutionary lives in the gap which separates technical progress from social totality, and inscribed there his dream of permanent revolution. This dream, therefore, is itself action, reality, and an effective menace to all established order; it renders possible what it dreams about.
I reject the idea that the guy who comes out of Yale and goes to work in the projects in Newark is good, and the guy who goes to work for a white-shoe law firm is bad. We're all mountain rangers. We all have peaks and valleys.
Let my thoughts come to you, when I am gone, like the afterglow of sunset at the margin of starry silence.
…not a fighter… an adventurer. He doesn’t attack, he engages; He doesn’t defend, he expands; He doesn’t destroy, he transforms; He doesn’t reject, he explores; ….
We’re not Indians and we’re not Native Americans. We’re older than both concepts. We’re the people, we’re the human beings.
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