"I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any."

Action

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Action as articulated by Lao Tzu. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Action provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Lao Tzu

Laozi is the name traditionally given to an ancient Chinese philosopher, also identified as Li Er or Lao Dan, who is regarded as the author or originating teacher associated with the Tao Te Ching, one of the foundational texts of Taoism. Traditional accounts place him in the 6th century BC state of Chu during China's Spring and Autumn period, describe him as a keeper of archival records at the Zhou court, and remember him as an elder contemporary of Confucius. Modern scholars remain divided over his identity, dates, and precise relationship to the received text: some regard the traditional Laozi as largely or wholly legendary, while others consider a historical Lao Dan plausible and accept the tradition that he was a senior contemporary of Confucius.

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More by Lao Tzu

"How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?"

— Lao Tzu
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"Wisdom principle 48 tells us that the journey of life is lesson 92."

— Lao Tzu
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"A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar."

— Lao Tzu
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"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

— Lao Tzu
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More about Action

"It takes a lot of experience of life to see why some relationships last and others do not. But we do not have to wait for a crisis to get an idea of the future of a particular relationship. Our behavior in little every incidents tells us a great deal."

— Eknath Easwaran
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"I like conventions. I like meeting and greeting. I'm perched on that edge where I'm getting more attention than I quite know what to do with, though."

— Laurell K. Hamilton
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"People say you favor assassination, what do you think war is? Except that it's assassination on a much larger scale, a much more horrific scale."

— John Bolton
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"Everybody looks like clones and the only people you notice are my age. I don't notice anybody unless they look great, and every now and again they do, and they are usually 70."

— Vivienne Westwood
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