Philosophical Sayings
348 sayings found from the Ancient era from 12 authors
Category
Holiday
Taking things lightly must lead to big difficulties. The sage regards things as difficult, and thereby avoids difficulty.
People fail at the threshold of success. Be as cautious at the end as at the beginning. Then there will be no failure.
Those who have the courage to dare will perish. Those who have the courage not to dare will live.
The sage's Way is to act and not to contend.
Careful, like crossing a river in the winter. Wary, as if surrounded by strangers.
Although he travels all day, the sage never loses sight of his luggage carts.
The best way to carve is not to split.
Those who know when to halt are unharmed.
The sage is sharp but does not cut, pointed but does not pierce, forthright but does not offend, bright but does not dazzle.
Pursue without interfering.
Lightly given promises must meet with little trust.
All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being.
The softest thing in the world can overcome the hardest thing in the world.
The greatest skill is to seem unskilled; The greatest abundance is to seem empty.
Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. (Do not overdo it.)
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil.
The sage attends to the inner and not to the outer.
Truthful words are not always beautiful; beautiful words are not always truthful.
Because of the great love, one is courageous.