Prophet Description
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Lao Tzu was born in China around the 6th century BCE and is considered the founder of Taoism. Lao Tzu is credited with authoring the Tao Te Ching, which is the principal book of Taoism. As legend goes, Lao Tzu was a librarian in the Imperial library who was well known for his wisdom and intellect. After years of witnessing corruption, Lao Tzu was motivated to leave the city for the countryside. Prior to leaving, a guard demanded that Lao Tzu record his wisdom for the benefit of future generations. Lao Tzu obeyed by drafting the Tao Te Ching, and was never heard from again.
Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 64
The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys rose from a (small) heap of earth; the journey of a thousand miles commenced with a single step.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 60
Governing a great state is like cooking small fish.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 71
To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a disease.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 48
He who devotes himself to learning (seeks) from day to day to increase (his knowledge); he who devotes himself to the Tao (seeks) from day to day to diminish (his doing).Tao Te Ching - Part 1 - Chapter 22
The partial becomes complete; the crooked, straight; the empty, full; the worn out, new. He whose (desires) are few gets them; he whose (desires) are many goes astray.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 78
Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 81
The sage does not accumulate (for himself). The more that he expends for others, the more does he possess of his own; the more that he gives to others, the more does he have himself.Tao Te Ching - Part 1 - Chapter 9
It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.Tao Te Ching - Part 1 - Chapter 9
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself. When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 46
There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one's lot; no fault greater than the wish to be getting. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 47
Without going outside his door, one understands (all that takes place) under the sky; without looking out from his window, one sees the Tao of Heaven. The farther that one goes out (from himself), the less he knows.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 55
(The infant's) bones are weak and its sinews soft, but yet its grasp is firm. It knows not yet the union of male and female, and yet its virile member may be excited;--showing the perfection of its physical essence. All day long it will cry without its throat becoming hoarse;--showing the harmony (in its constitution).Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 66
That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower than they;--it is thus that they are the kings of them all. So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.Tao Te Ching - Part 2 - Chapter 69
A master of the art of war has said,'I do not dare to be the host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest (to act on the defensive). I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer to retire a foot.' This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks; baring the arms (to fight) where there are no arms to bare; grasping the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp; advancing against the enemy where there is no enemy.