Lao Tzu was a great philosopher in ancient China, and his ideas had a profound impact on Chinese culture.
Ten classic 'Tao' principles
The Tao is very good, and it is very good. The meaning of this statement is that the word that can be expressed in words is not the eternal word. This sentence expresses Lao Tzu's understanding of the Tao, which he believes is beyond language, and can only be truly comprehended through realization.
The good is like water, and the water is good for all things. The meaning of this statement is that the kindest person should be like water, which is beneficial to all things without dispute. This quote expresses Lao Tzu's view on morality, which he believes should be as natural as water, not deliberate.
Inaction. The meaning of this sentence is that the country should be governed by inaction like nature. This sentence expresses Lao Tzu's view on politics, which he believes should follow nature and should not interfere excessively.
The trouble of people is to be a good teacher. The meaning of this sentence is that the greatest danger to man is to like to be someone else's teacher. This quote expresses Lao Tzu's view on education, which he believes should focus on inspiration rather than indoctrination.
If Dacheng is missing, its use is not harmful. If the big profit is rushing, its use is endless. The meaning of this statement is that the most perfect thing always looks flawed, but its usefulness does not diminish because of it. The fullest thing always looks empty, but its usefulness is not exhausted by it. This sentence expresses Lao Tzu's view on things, he believes that things have flaws and shortcomings, but this does not affect their role and value.
Weakness is better than strength. The meaning of this statement is that what is weak is often able to overcome what is strong. This quote expresses Lao Tzu's view of strength, which he believes is often stronger than strong strength.
The way of heaven has more than it loses and makes up for what it lacks. The meaning of this statement is that the law of nature is always to reduce what is surplus to make up for what is insufficient. This quote expresses Lao Tzu's view of nature, which he believes is always balanced and does not let anything too much or too little.
Those who know do not speak, and those who speak do not know. The meaning of this statement is that those who really know do not say it, and those who say it often do not know. This quote expresses Lao Tzu's view of knowledge, which he believes is internalized, not superficial.
Misfortune and blessing are relied upon, and blessing and misfortune are lurking. The meaning of this sentence is that calamity is often attached to blessings, and blessings are often lurking calamities. This sentence expresses Lao Tzu's view on life, which he believes is full of variables and uncertainties.
To be virtuous is to be virtuous. The meaning of this statement is that the noblest morality is not a deliberate morality, but a natural morality. This sentence expresses Lao Tzu's view on morality, which he believes should be natural, not deliberate.