Thus it is that "Some things are increased by being diminished, others are diminished by being increased." What others have taught, I also teach; verily, I will make it the root of my teaching.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that some qualities or values grow stronger when they are restrained, while others weaken when they are exaggerated.
Laozi's quote reflects a profound philosophical insight into the nature of balance and moderation. It emphasizes that certain virtues or concepts, such as humility and simplicity, can be enhanced through restraint, while excess or overindulgence can lead to a loss of those very qualities. This teaching underlines the importance of understanding the context and nature of things to cultivate a harmonious existence.
In practice
In a speech about personal growth, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of moderation.
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.
If people really saw what was happening in Iraq and Afghanistan, then they might be marching in the streets to end wars. But you know, I think that no one ever sees because we're not allowed to see, and we're not allowed to publish what we do see. So it's quite difficult.
War can only be qualified by its object, and there is neither foreign war nor civil war, there is only just or unjust war.
life is a loaded gun that looks right at you with a yellow eye.
Sin contains its own judgement and punishment.
God! how is it that we fail to recognize that the mask of pleasure, stripped of all hypocrisy, is that of anguish?
The extreme weakness of quantum gravitational effects now poses some philosophical problems; maybe nature is trying to tell us something new here: maybe we should not try to quantize gravity.
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