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The Wise Man is square but not sharp, honest but not not malign, straight but not severe, bright but not dazzling.

Laozi

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Laozi
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Lao-tze
Lao Tzu
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More quotes by Laozi

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Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
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When taxes are too high, people go hungry.
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The Sage expects no recognition for what he does he achieves merit but does not take it to himself he does not wish to display his worth.
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Observe how endings become beginnings.
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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.
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Battles are followed by years of famine.
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Accomplish but do not boast, accomplish without show, accomplish without arrogance, accomplish without grabbing, accomplish without forcing.
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Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.
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Do not fear the aging of the body for it is the body's way of seeking the root.
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What should be shrunken must first be stretched.
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Knowledge studies others, wisdom is self known.
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The supreme rulers are hardly known by their subjects. The lesser are loved and praised. The even lesser are feared. The least are despised.
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Be who you are, and go the whole way.
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The sage is sharp but does not cut, pointed but does not pierce, forthright but does not offend, bright but does not dazzle.
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Can you let go of words and ideas, attitudes and expectations? If so, then the Tao will loom into view.
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Who can enjoy enlightenment and remain indifferent to suffering in the world? This is not in keeping with the Way. Only those who increase their service along with their understanding can be called men and women of Tao.
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The fourth (of the four cardinal virtues) is supportiveness: this manifests as service to others without expectation of reward. (Paraphrased: Such service is not a mere conforming to some external rule of behavior, but instead a manifestation of your original nature).
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I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.
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Those who make their living by collecting taxes cause the people to starve when the people starve, the tax collectors, having no one to tax, starve also
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The Tao doesn't take sides it gives birth to both good and evil. The Master doesn't take sides she welcomes both saints and sinners. The Tao is like a bellows: it is empty yet infinitely capable. The more you use it, the more it produces the more you talk of it, the less you understand. Hold on to the center.
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