Therefore: In dwelling, choose modest quarters, in thinking, value stillness, in dealing with others, be kind, in choosing words, be sincere, in leading, be just, in working, be competent, in acting, choose the correct timing. Follow these words and there will be no error.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of humility, mindfulness, kindness, sincerity, fairness, competence, and timing in various aspects of life.
Laozi's quote encourages individuals to approach different areas of life with humility, calmness, and sincerity. It highlights that by choosing modesty in living spaces, valuing stillness in thought, practicing kindness in interactions, being sincere in communication, maintaining justice in leadership, striving for competence in work, and acting at the right moment, one can navigate life successfully and avoid potential errors or pitfalls.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a leadership workshop to emphasize the qualities of a good leader.
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.
There's no better way to test a person than to put them in the middle of a war. That's clearly going to show what kind of a character you're telling a story about.
Whatever authority I may have rests solely on knowing how little I know.
When you have a special gift you don’t realize it because you think everyone else has the same gift.
You can learn much about life from a checker game: surrender one to take two; don't make two moves at one time; move up, not down; and when you reach the top, you may move as you like.
Drive a nail home and clinch it so faithfully that you can wake up in the night and think of your work with satisfaction - a work at which you would not be ashamed to invoke the muse.
Yes, I want money more than anything else in the world.” “Then you’ve made the only choice. But there’s a penalty attached, as there is to most things you want. It’s loneliness.
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