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Returning to the source is stillness. It is returning to one's fate. Returning to one's fate is eternal.

Laozi

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Laozi
Archivist
Philosopher
Writer
Lao-tze
Lao Tzu
Lao-tzu
Lao-tsu
Li Er
Laotze
Returning
Taoism
Stillness
Fate
Eternal
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More quotes by Laozi

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Man, when living, is soft and tender when dead, he is hard and tough. All animals and plants when living are tender and delicate when dead they become withered and dry. Therefore it is said: the hard and tough are parts of death the soft and tender are parts of life.
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Ancient masters of excellence had a subtle essence, and a depth too profound to comprehend.
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When people are unsettled, loyal ministers arise.
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Great accomplishment seems imperfect, Yet it does not outlive its usefulness. Great fullness seems empty, Yet it cannot be exhausted.
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The one who is filled by virtue is like a newborn baby.
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Peace and quiet are preferred. Victory should not be praised.
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Yet mystery and imagination arise from the same source. This source is called darkness ... Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.
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Those who are self-righteous are not prominent.
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Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.
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If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.
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Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.
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If you worry more for others' beliefs, then you will be their slave.
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The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be.
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Creating without claiming, Doing without taking credit, Guiding without interfering, This is Primal Virtue.
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To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!
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Do not look only at yourself, and you will see much. Do not justify yourself, and you will be distinguished. Do not brag, and you will have merit. Do not be prideful, and your work will endure.
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Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.
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The moment truth is asserted, it becomes false.
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They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.
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The master does his job and then stops. He understands that the universe is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao.
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