Status Updates From Lao Tzu : Tao Te Ching : A ...

- Not knowing is true knowledge, presuming to know is a disease
- If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to
- The hard and stuff will be broken, the soft and supple will prevail
- Men who need to prove their point aren’t wise

- When nothing is done, nothing is left undone
- Knowing how to yield is strength
- All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are

- The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world
- If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled
- Be content with what you have. Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you
- There is no greater illusion than fear

- Let your workings remain a mystery, just show people the results
- When there is no desire, all things are at peace
- The master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole
- True clarity seems obscure. The greatest love seems indifferent. The greatest wisdom seems childish.

- If you let yourself be blown to and fro, you lose touch with your root
- The master sees things as they are without trying to control them
- Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom
- Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power

- If you don’t trust the people, you make them untrustworthy
- Stop thinking, and end your problems
- Must you value what others value? Avoid what others avoid? How ridiculous
- Express yourself completely, then keep quiet. Be like the forces of nature

- What is a good man, but a bad man’s teacher?
- Practice not doing, and everything will fall into place
- Care about people’s approval, and you will be their prisoner
- Can you deal with the most vile matters by letting events take their course?
- We work with being, but the non-being is what we use

‘Don’t push the river’

There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

The master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them,
letting them go their own way
and residing at the center of the circle.

Do you want to improve the world? I don't think it can be done. The world is sacred. It can't be improved. If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it. If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.

Man follows the earth
Earth follows the universe.
The universe follows the Tao.
The Tao follows only itself.

Success is as dangerous as failure.
Hope is as hollow as fear.