Let people hold on to these:
Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching

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Topic

Simplicity Doing less Letting go

Author

Lao Tzu

Source

Tao Te Ching

Genre

Philosophical literature Religious literature

Statement Type

Advice

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. 19.

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. 19.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Lao Tzu about simplicity: “Let people hold on to these: Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce…”
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A quote by Lao Tzu about simplicity: “Let people hold on to these: Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce…”
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A quote by Lao Tzu about simplicity: “Let people hold on to these: Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce…”
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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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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

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

Psalm 125:2

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More information about this quote
Topic
God's protection Jerusalem
Source
Psalms The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
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 125:2).

Another quote originally in Chinese

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be defeated.

Sun Tzu

The Art of War

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Topic
Self-knowledge Enemies

Author

Sun Tzu
Source
The Art of War
Medium
Treatise
Genre
Military treatise
Statement Type
Advice
Language
Chinese
Time
475 BC 470s BC 5th century BC
Authentication Score 0
Original Citation

Sun Tzu. 孫子兵法 [The Art of War]. c. 475 BC, ch. 3.

Current Citation

Sun Tzu. The Art of War: The Essential Translation of the Classic Book of Life, translated by John Minford. Penguin Classics, 2009, ch. 3.

Another quote of the following type Advice

You should hammer your iron when it is glowing hot.

Publilius Syrus

Sententiae

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Topic
Opportune time Timing Opportunities

Author

Publilius Syrus
Source
Sententiae
Medium
Epigram
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile Advice
Language
Latin
Time
43 BC 40s BC 1st century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Publilius Syrus. Sententiae. c. 1st century BC.