When the Way governs the world, the proud stallions drag dung carriages. When the Way is lost to the world, war horses are bred outside the city.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the balance of order and chaos in society and how leadership impacts the behavior of individuals.
Laozi's quote highlights the consequences of societal values and governance. When a society adheres to the 'Way' or natural order, its citizens are humble and perform necessary work, even if it seems menial, like proud stallions pulling dung carriages. In contrast, when this order is lost, society turns to conflict and strife, as indicated by breeding war horses, symbolizing the need for power and aggression in absence of harmony.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a speech on leadership values during a corporate seminar.
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.
Men, however distinguished by external accidents or intrinsick qualities, have all the same wants, the same pains, and, as far as the senses are consulted, the same pleasures.
All Christian language about the future is a set of signposts pointing into a mist.
My belief is that I wasn't born into Judaism by accident, and so I needed to find ways to honor that.
The unity of the bourgeoisie can be shaken only by the unity of the proletariat.
Even through you and I are in different boats, you in your boat and we our canoe, we share the same river of life. What befalls me befalls you. And downstream, downstream in this river of life, our children will pay for our selfishness, for our greed, and for our lack of vision.
It is only the poor who are forbidden to beg.
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