The pursuit of learning is to increase day after day.
The pursuit of Tao is to decrease day after day.
It is to decrease and further decrease until one reaches the point of taking no action.
No action is undertaken, and yet nothing is left undone.

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching

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Topic

Tao Doing less Inaction

Author

Lao Tzu

Source

Tao Te Ching

Genre

Philosophical literature Religious literature

Statement Type

Paradox

Language

Chinese

Time

400 BC 400s BC 5th century BC

Occupation

Philosopher Writer

From

China Asia

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Laozi [Lao Tzu]. 道德經 [Tao Te Ching]. c. 400 BC, ch. 48.

Current Citation

Laozi [Lao Tzu]. "The Natural Way of Lao Tzu." A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, translated by Wing-Tsit Chan. Princeton University Press, 1969, ch. 48.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Lao Tzu

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching

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More information about this quote
Topic
Patience Persistence One step at a time

Author

Lao Tzu
Source
Tao Te Ching
Genre
Philosophical literature Religious literature
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
Chinese
Time
400 BC 400s BC 5th century BC
Authentication Score 0
Original Citation

Laozi [Lao Tzu]. 道德經 [Tao Te Ching]. c. 400 BC, ch. 64.

Current Citation

Laozi [Lao Tzu]. "The Natural Way of Lao Tzu." A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, translated by Wing-Tsit Chan. Princeton University Press, 1969, ch. 64.

Another quote from the 5th century BC

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

David

1st Chronicles 16:34

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More information about this quote
Topic
Gratitude to God Gratitude
Speaker
David
Source
1st Chronicles The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Statement Type
Orders and commands
Language
Hebrew
Time
430 BC 430s BC 5th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (1st Chronicles 16:34).

Another quote originally in Chinese

The policy of letting a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend is designed to promote the flourishing of the arts and the progress of science; it is designed to enable a socialist culture to thrive in our land.

Mao Zedong

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More information about this quote
Topic
Battle of ideas
Speaker
Mao Zedong
Source
On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
Chinese
Time
1957 1950s 20th century
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Zedong, Mao. "On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People." Eleventh Session (Enlarged) of the Supreme State Conference. 27 Feb. 1957, Beijing, China.

Another quote of the following type Paradox

Make war that we may live in peace.

Aristotle

The Nicomachean Ethics

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More information about this quote
Topic
War and peace War Peace

Author

Aristotle
Source
The Nicomachean Ethics
Genre
Philosophical literature
Statement Type
Paradox
Language
Greek
Time
322 BC 320s BC 4th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Aristotle. Ἠθικὰ Νικομάχεια, Ēthika Nikomacheia [Nicomachean Ethics]. c. 322 BC.

Current Citation

Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics, translated by Terence Irwin. Hackett Publishing, 2019.