quote · Legacy record
If the Principle of the universe could be translated into words or letters, it would not be the principle. If its name could be pronounced, it would not be the Principle’s name. Anyone who has studied the Chuang Tzu book knows perfectly well that the human body vanishes, dissolves like everything else, in the process of change. The further you go the less you know. A good warrior is never violent. Generally speaking, true words are often not welcome, and beautiful words are often not true. Without the concept of “existence” how could we know “emptiness”? I don’t know where it came from, it should be here before the heaven and earth was created. Governing according to the way of nature brings peace instead. Conceit leads do defeat. For the same reason, so-called “humanity” and “morality” restrict people’s true nature. Those people who do not have enough faith will not be able to inspire faith to others. The sage treasures everything; so nothing is wasted. To use the force of arms is something one resorts to only when one has no choice but to show military strength. Winning a war is not a glory.
If the Principle of the universe could be translated into words or letters, it would not be the principle. If its name could be pronounced, it would not be the Principle’s name. Anyone who has studied the Chuang Tzu book knows perfectly well that the human body vanishes, dissolves like everything else, in the process of change. The further you go the less you know. A good warrior is never violent. Generally speaking, true words are often not welcome, and beautiful words are often not true. Without the concept of “existence” how could we know “emptiness”? I don’t know where it came from, it should be here before the heaven and earth was created. Governing according to the way of nature brings peace instead. Conceit leads do defeat. For the same reason, so-called “humanity” and “morality” restrict people’s true nature. Those people who do not have enough faith will not be able to inspire faith to others. The sage treasures everything; so nothing is wasted. To use the force of arms is something one resorts to only when one has no choice but to show military strength. Winning a war is not a glory.
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- Author or tradition
- Laozi (traditional attribution)
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- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 1061; PDF page 121; printed attribution: Lao Tzu
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