Inspirational Quotes by Zhiming Yuan

“When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad.”

“When there is no desire, all things are at peace.”

“He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty" - Lao-tsu”

“Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Have the patience to wait! Be still and allow the mud to settle.”

“Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear?”

“Love is a decision - not an emotion!”

“True words aren't eloquent; eloquent words aren't true. Wise men don't need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren't wise. The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.”

“Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear.”

“Countless words count less than the silent balance between yin and yang”

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is. Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light. What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you don't understand this, you will get lost, however intelligent you are. It is the great secret.”

“Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe. Therefore the Master takes action by letting things take their course. He remains as calm at the end as at the beginning. He has nothing, thus has nothing to lose. What he desires is non-desire; what he learns is to unlearn. He simply reminds people of who they have always been. He cares about nothing but the Tao. Thus he can care for all things.”

“My teachings are easy to understand and easy to put into practice. Yet your intellect will never grasp them, and if you try to practice them,you'll fail. My teachings are older than the world. How can you grasp their meaning? If you want to know me, Look inside your heart.”

“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.”

“He who stands on tiptoe doesn't stand firm. He who rushes ahead doesn't go far. He who tries to shine dims his own light. He who defines himself can't know who he really is. He who has power over others can't empower himself. He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures. If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go.”

“When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.”

“Do you want to improve the world? I don't think it can be done. The world is sacred. It can't be improved. If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it. If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it. There is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind; a time for being in motion, a time for being at rest; a time for being vigorous, a time for being exhausted; a time for being safe, a time for being in danger. The Master sees things as they are, without trying to control them. She lets them go their own way, and resides at the center of the circle.”

“He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.”

“Not-knowing is true knowledge. Presuming to know is a disease. First realize that you are sick; then you can move toward health.”

“To bear and not to own; to act and not lay claim; to do the work and let it go: for just letting it go is what makes it stay.”

“Colors blind the eye Sounds deafen the ear. Flavors numb the taste. Thoughts weaken the mind. Desires wither the heart.”