Keeping plenty of gold and jade in the palace makes no one able to defend it.
Interpretation
Material wealth does not equate to security or strength.
This quote by Laozi highlights the idea that hoarding wealth, represented by gold and jade, does not provide true security or protection. Instead, it suggests that an overemphasis on material possessions can lead to vulnerability, as these treasures can attract conflict and do not contribute to the stability or safety of a community or individual.
In practice
In a debate about the importance of financial security versus emotional well-being.
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.
When we say gender is performed, we usually mean that we've taken on a role or we're acting in some way and that our acting or our role playing is crucial to the gender that we are and the gender that we present to the world.
Plenty of people did not care for him much, but then there is a huge difference between disliking somebody - maybe even disliking them a lot - and actually shooting them, strangling them, dragging them through the fields and setting their house on fire.
Compare society to a boat. Her progress through the water will not depend upon the exertion of her crew, but upon the exertion devoted to propelling her. This will be lessened by any expenditure of force in fighting among themselves, or in pulling in different directions.
We owe the origin and development of human society and, consequently, of culture and civilization, to the fact that work performed under the division of labor is more productive than when performed in isolation.
Sure I believe in God and the Devil, but they don't have to have pitchforks and a long white beard.
Reality is a cliché from which we escape by metaphor.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.