{"id":34334,"date":"2021-05-01T16:04:59","date_gmt":"2021-05-01T20:04:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=34334"},"modified":"2021-05-09T16:37:31","modified_gmt":"2021-05-09T20:37:31","slug":"taoist-sayings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/taoist-sayings\/","title":{"rendered":"Taoist Sayings From the Tao Te Ching"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Looking for Taoist sayings from the Tao Te Ching<\/em>? Do you want to better understand Lau Tzu’s philosophies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tao Te Ching<\/em> is the primary Taoist text written by Lau Tzu<\/a>, the founder of Taoism. This article contains five inspirational sayings from the Tao Te Ching<\/em> with interpretations and explanations of their meanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading for Taoist sayings and explanations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Taoist Sayings by Lau Tzu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Tao Te Ching <\/em>is one of the foundational texts of Taoism, written between the 4th and 6th centuries. The Tao Te Ching<\/em> was originally written by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lau Tzu. The piece is written as poetry and, as such, even Taoist scholars have different perspectives on what the language represents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The explanations of the Taoist sayings in this article are based off the Stephen Mitchell translation of Lau Tzu’s work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose who know do not speak. <\/p>

Those who speak do not know.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Talk less.<\/strong> This will help you to remain objective, patient, and receptive to the energies around you as well as the Tao<\/a> itself. When people talk too much, they\u2019re trying to prove <\/em>their knowledge instead of embracing the wisdom of the Tao. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA leader is best<\/p>

When people barely know he exists<\/p>

Of a good leader<\/a>, who talks little,<\/p>

When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,<\/p>

They will say, \u201cWe did this ourselves.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The strongest leader is one who doesn\u2019t have to constantly make their presence known. They\u2019re able to guide others without manipulating emotions. For example, a strong leader wouldn\u2019t have to utilize propaganda to get their constituents to follow them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen people see some things as beautiful,<\/p>

other things become ugly.<\/p>

When people see some things as good,<\/p>

other things become bad.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

When we label or define our surroundings, we create conflict, attributing particular qualities based on our personal biases. This manipulates our view of reality in the process. For example, if you define modesty as \u201cgood,\u201d then you\u2019ll inherently paint anything you view as indecent as \u201cevil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Have the patience to wait! Be still and allow the mud to settle.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A final element of embracing non-action<\/a> is being patient and allowing the Tao to guide your behavior. You can\u2019t seek out the \u201cright time\u201d to act as this will inherently put your personal desires into your decisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, you must wait for the moment to come to you, thus allowing you to interact with the world based on how it actually is instead of how you want it to be. If you\u2019re searching for fulfillment in earthly desires, you\u2019ll never be truly patient and observant because you\u2019ll try to force things to happen before the universe is ready.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen there is no desire,<\/p>

all things are at peace.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Earthly pleasures and \u201csuccess\u201d may provide distraction through enjoyment, but the Tao, though seemingly mundane, provides true fulfillment. If you want everything to be given to you, you must first give up everything. Your earthly possessions and personal perspectives will keep you from accepting the gifts given to you by the universe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Looking for Taoist sayings from the Tao Te Ching? Do you want to better understand Lau Tzu’s philosophies? The Tao Te Ching is the primary Taoist text written by Lau Tzu, the founder of Taoism. This article contains five inspirational sayings from the Tao Te Ching with interpretations and explanations of their meanings. Keep reading for Taoist sayings and explanations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":34374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,6],"tags":[279],"class_list":["post-34334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-books","category-spiritual","tag-tao-te-ching","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nTaoist Sayings From the Tao Te Ching - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking for Taoist sayings from the Tao Te Ching? 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