There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted. It may be regarded as the Mother of the Universe. I do not know its name. If I am forced to give It a name, I call it Tao, and I name it as supreme.
Interpretation
The quote speaks to the concept of the Tao, an eternal and unchanging force that exists before all things.
This quote by Laozi reflects on the nature of the Tao, an essential principle that transcends existence and stands as the source of all creation. It emphasizes the Tao's timeless, motionless essence that pervades the universe, suggesting a profound connection to the origins of life, illustrating that there is a fundamental truth that underlies all existence, which is beyond complete understanding yet can be experienced in its profundity.
In practice
In a discussion about the fundamental nature of reality or existence, one could quote Laozi to highlight the eternal and unchanging aspects of life.
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.
I think one of the great dangers here is going and categorizing anybody from one religion as a terrorist. That's not true... That would let the terrorists win. That's what they want us to do.
There are all sorts of things that would be comforting. I expect an injection of morphine would be comforting... But to say that something is comforting is not to say that it's true.
A man is as much affected pleasurably or painfully by the image of a thing past or future as by the image of a thing present.
I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.
People crushed by law have no hopes but from power. If laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws.
Gods always behave like the people who make them.
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