1. The Tao can be Tao, but it is very Tao. Famous, very famous.
Sourced from Chapter 1 of "Tao Te Ching".
The Tao that explains everything in the world can be understood, but the Tao is constantly changing. Names can also be described, but names are constantly changing.
2. Everyone in the world knows that beauty is beautiful, but it is evil; everyone knows that good is good, but it is not good.
Sourced from Chapter 2 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explanation: Everyone in the world knows that beauty is beautiful because there is ugliness; everyone in the world knows that goodness is good because there is evil.
3. Being and non-being complement each other, difficulty and ease complement each other, long and short complement each other, high and low complement each other, sounds harmonize each other, and front and rear follow each other.
Sourced from Chapter 2 of "Tao Te Ching"
Explanation: existence and non-being breed each other, difficulty and ease complement each other, long and short appear in comparison, high and low are interdependent, and the rhythm of sound They respond to each other to form a melody, and the front and back are connected to form a sequence.
4. The heaven and the earth are unkind and regard all things as stupid dogs; the saints are unkind and regard the common people as stupid dogs.
Sourced from Chapter 5 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explain that heaven and earth do not care whether they are benevolent or not, they treat all things equally like straw dogs (ancient sacrifices made of grass); the saint does not care whether he is kind or not, he treats the people like straw dogs (ancient sacrifices made of grass) were the same, leaving the people to fend for themselves.
5. It is better to stay in the center than to learn too much.
Sourced from Chapter 5 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explanation: Some versions are "too much to say but too little to say". It means: Talking too much is useless, talking too much will lead to mistakes, it is better to remain silent.
6. Forever. The reason why heaven and earth can last forever is because they do not generate themselves, so they can live forever. So the saint comes first after others, and exists outside of others. Isn’t it because of his selflessness? Therefore, it can be done privately.
Sourced from Chapter 7 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explain that heaven and earth last forever. The reason why heaven and earth can exist for a long time is because they do not move naturally for their own survival, so they can survive for a long time.
7. The best is like water. Water is good for all things and does not compete with it. It is disliked by everyone, so it is close to the Tao.
Sourced from Chapter 8 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explain that the greatest good should be like water. Water is good at nourishing all things and blending with all things without competing with them. Water only stays in low-lying places that people don’t like, so the nature of water is closest to Tao. .
8. If you hold on to it and gain it, it will not be as good as before; if you hold on to it and make it sharp, you will not be able to maintain it for a long time.
Sourced from Chapter 9 of "Tao Te Ching".
If the explanation is too full, it will overflow, so it should be stopped in moderation; if it is too aggressive, it will not last long.
9. A house full of gold and jade cannot be guarded by anyone; if you are arrogant and rich, you will be blamed for it. Retirement after success is the way of heaven.
Sourced from Chapter 9 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explanation: A house full of gold and jade may not be able to keep it; being arrogant and extravagant because of wealth can easily lead to trouble. If you are successful and can retreat bravely from the rapids, this is the natural way.
10. The five colors make one blind; the five tones make one deaf; the five tastes make one’s mouth happy; galloping and hunting make one’s heart go crazy; rare goods make one’s way.
Sourced from Chapter 12 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explanation: The colorful colors sometimes make people dazzled and they cannot see the ugliness; the beautiful tune sometimes makes people unable to hear the good advice; the delicious food is so refreshing that sometimes people cannot taste the pain; Horse riding safari sometimes makes people indulge in indulgence; sometimes some rare and precious items can make people have evil intentions.
11. Favored and humiliated.
Sourced from Chapter 13 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explanation: No matter you are favored or insulted, you should treat it as a major matter, pay attention to it, be keenly aware of the dangers and opportunities involved, and avoid being satisfied or frustrated.
12. Know the eternal appearance, the appearance is the public, the public is the whole, the whole is the sky, the sky is the Tao, the Tao is the long-term, and the body is not destroyed.
Sourced from Chapter 16 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explain that only by understanding the laws of nature can we be tolerant of everything, only by being tolerant can we be fair and open-minded, only by being fair and open-minded can the world obey, and only by being obeyed can we be in line with nature.
Only by being in line with nature can we be in line with the Dao. Only by being in line with the Dao can we have long-term peace and stability, and be free from danger throughout our lives.
13. Be simple, have few selfish desires, and have no worries about learning.
Source: Chapter 19 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explain that people must regulate their thoughts and behaviors, maintain a pure and simple mentality, and reduce selfish desires. This is noble and joyful knowledge.
14. Don’t be afraid of what people fear.
Sourced from Chapter 20 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explain what everyone is afraid of, and you have to be afraid of it too.
15. The common people are enlightened, but I am alone. The common people look at me, but I am alone.
Sourced from Chapter 20 of "Tao Te Ching".
Explanation: Everyone feels that they have a fulfilling life, but I am isolated and independent. Everyone thinks they are sober and smart, but I am dull and confused; everyone thinks they are smart, but I know nothing.