"Better stop short than fill to the brim. Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt. Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it."
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Quote collection
Laozi quotes (page 55 of 66)
1.3K quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"To be brave without compassion, generous without moderation, and rule without refraining from being first in the world, are certain deaths."
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"When the emperor is crowned or the three dukes are appointed, rather than sending a gift of jade carried by four horses, remain still and offer the Way."
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"What people loathe the most is to be orphaned, desolate, unworthy. But this is what princes and kings call themselves."
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"The rigid and big belong below. The soft and weak belong above."
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"Must one dread what others dread?"
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"He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue of good."
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"When everyone sees good, then bad exists."
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"Heaven's Way is like stretching a bow. The high is lowered and the low is raised. Excess is reduced and deficiency is replenished. Heaven's Way reduces excess and replenishes deficiency. People's Way is not so. They reduce the deficient and supply the excessive."
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"Water does not force its way."
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"When two opposing sides meet in battle, the one without an enemy will be victorious."
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"The good leader carries water for his people."
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"A good wanderer leaves no trace."
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"Some have lavish garments, carry sharp swords, and feast on food and drink. They possess more than they can spend. This is called the vanity of robbers. It is certainly not the Way."
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"When the palace is magnificent, the fields are filled with weeds, and the granaries are empty."
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"Racing and hunting excite man's heart to madness."
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"When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating."
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"Going on means going far, going far means returning."
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"Wear down to be renewed."
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"A good mooring needs no knot, still no one can untie it."
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