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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More information about this quote

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

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

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More information about this quote
Topic
Stillness Meditation God
Source
Psalms The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Statement Type
Orders and commands
Language
Hebrew
Time
450 BC 450s BC 5th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (Psalm 46:10).

Another quote originally in Chinese

A revolution is not the same as inviting people to dinner, or writing an essay, or painting a picture... A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another.

Mao Zedong

More information about this quote
Topic
Revolution

Author

Mao Zedong
Genre
Political literature
Statement Type
Definition
Language
Chinese
Time
1927 1920s 20th century
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Zedong, Mao. "湖南农民运动考察报告 [Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Hunan]." Zhongyang Fukan, 28 Mar. 1927.

Another quote of the following type Paradox

Much Madness is divinest Sense —
To a discerning Eye —
Much Sense—the starkest Madness —
'Tis the Majority
In this, as All, prevail —
Assent—and you are sane —
Demur—you're straightway dangerous —
And handled with a Chain —

Emily Dickinson

More information about this quote
Topic
Majority opinions Thinking differently

Author

Emily Dickinson
Source
Much Madness Is Divinest Sense Poems
Medium
Poem
Statement Type
Paradox
Language
English
Time
1886 1880s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Dickinson, Emily. "Much Madness Is Divinest Sense." Poems by Emily Dickinson. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1890, I. 1.

Current Citation

Dickinson, Emily. "Much Madness Is Divinest Sense." Emily Dickinson’s Poems: As She Preserved Them, edited by Cristanne Miller. Belknap Press, 2016, I. 1.