What is well rooted cannot be pulled up. What is firmly grasped will not slip loose. It will be honoured from generation to generation.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the importance of strong foundations, whether in knowledge, beliefs, or values, indicating that what is deeply established can endure over time.
Laozi emphasizes the significance of having deep roots in our beliefs and values, suggesting that when something is well-established, it becomes resilient to challenges and cannot easily be uprooted or lost. This endurance is honored and preserved across generations, reflecting the idea that having strength in our foundations contributes to lasting legacies.
In practice
During a speech about education, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of a strong foundational knowledge.
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 thing about flying that he never got used to was that no matter how awful the weather was on the ground, if you flew high enough you could always find the sun.
When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at 80.
I don't care that they stole my idea . . I care that they don't have any of their own
Learn to say no; it will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin.
Reflection is a flower of the mind, giving out wholesome fragrance; but revelry is the same flower, when rank and running to seed.
Unless a variety of opinions are laid before us, we have no opportunity of selection, but are bound of necessity to adopt the particular view which may have been brought forward.
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