The Master doesn't try to be powerful;thus he is truly powerful.The ordinary man keeps reaching for power;thus he never has enough.The Master does nothing,yet he leaves nothing undone.The ordinary man is always ding things,yet many more are left to be done.[]Therefore the Master concerns himselfWith the depths and not the surface,With the fruit and not the flower.[]Teaching without words,Performing without actions:That is the Masters way.[]The Master arrives without leaving,Sees the light without looking,Achieves without doing a thing.[]The Master is above the people,And no one feels oppressed.She goes ahead of the people,And no feels manipulated.The whole world is grateful to her.Because she completes with no one,No one can complete with her.
Lao Tzu
— Lao Tzu
Semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism
above actions ahead arrive complete depths do enough flower fruit leave manipulate master oppressed power powerful reach surface truly words
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About Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu was Chinese semi-legendary chinese philosopher, founder of taoism. Laozi was a legendary Chinese philosopher considered to be the author of the Dào Dé Jīng (Laozi), one of the foundational texts of Taoism. The name, literally meaning 'Old Master', was likely intended to portray an archaic anonymity that could converse with Confucianism. Read more on Wikipedia →

Themes

  • Power — The dynamics of influence, authority, and leadership

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