Quotes on People

[People] somehow assume that the Internet is going to be the catalyst of change that will push young people into the streets, while in fact it may actually be the new opium for the masses which will keep the same people in their rooms downloading pornography.

Writers serve as the memory of a people. They chew over our public past.

I want my stories to move people ... to feel some kind of reward from the writing.

When people do not dread authorities, then a greater dread descends.

We go from birth to death. Three out of ten follow life. Three out of ten follow death. People who rush from birth to death are also three out of ten. Why is that so? Because they want to make too much of life.

People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.

Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you.

A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, the great country ought to yield.

Excellent leaders of people lower themselves.

If princes and kings could follow it (Tao), all things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite and sweet dew would fall. People would by themselves find harmony, without being commanded.

When the world is ruled according to the Way, the ghosts lose their power. The ghosts do not really lose their power, but it is not used to harm people.

If people are not afraid of dying, why threaten them with death?

If people live in constant fear of death, and if breaking the law is punished by death, then who would dare?

Those who are quiet value the words. When their task is completed, people will say: We did it ourselves.

Heaven's Way gives no favors. It always remains with good people.

People starve. The rulers consume too much with their taxes. That is why people starve.

I have no desire to desire, and people become like the uncarved wood by themselves.

People turn their eyes and ears to him (the sage), and the sage cares for them like his own children.

If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind.

Supreme good is like water. Water greatly benefits all things, without conflict. It flows through places that people loathe. Thereby it is close to the Way.

When leading people and serving Heaven, nothing exceeds moderation.