When the Way governs the world, the proud stallions drag dung carriages. When the Way is lost to the world, war horses are bred outside the city.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the balance of order and chaos in society and how leadership impacts the behavior of individuals.
Laozi's quote highlights the consequences of societal values and governance. When a society adheres to the 'Way' or natural order, its citizens are humble and perform necessary work, even if it seems menial, like proud stallions pulling dung carriages. In contrast, when this order is lost, society turns to conflict and strife, as indicated by breeding war horses, symbolizing the need for power and aggression in absence of harmony.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a speech on leadership values during a corporate seminar.
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.
...skepticism can never provide firm ground under a man's feet. And perhaps, after all, we need firm ground.
O mischief, thou art swift to enter in the thoughts of desperate men!
My hope is to gain a fresh hearing for Jesus, especially among those who believe they already understand him. In his case, quite frankly, presumed familiarity has led to unfamiliarity, unfamiliarity has led to contempt, and contempt has led to profound ignorance.
The more images I gathered from the past, I said, the more unlikely it seemed to me that the past had actually happened in this or that way, for nothing about it could be called normal: most of it was absurd, and if not absurd, then appalling.
In the uttermost meaning of the words, thought is devout, and devotion is thought. Deep calls unto deep.
Laziness is built deep into our nature.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.