Lao Tsu in his Tao Te Ching shares an invaluable piece of wisdom: “The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.
Related Quotes
The classic reference to the Taoist approach is Lao Tsu’s sixth-century-B.C. work, Tao Te Ching. It gives directions for achieving the Taoist state of being. Here’s one from Chapter Sixty-six:
Why is the sea king of a hundred streams?
Because it lies below them.
Therefore it is the king of a hundred streams.
If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility.
If he would lead them, he must follow behind.
In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed:
When he stands before them, they will not be harmed.
The whole world will support him and will not tire of him.
Because he does not compete,
He does not meet competition.
This phrase, “flexible control,” describes the reconciliation of strength and submission. The Tao Te Ching recommends wu-wei: achieve things by not trying to achieve. But another quality helps turn masochism into flexible control—intelligence. You have to know when and how to surrender, even to whom to surrender.
Nature also teaches me persistence and perseverance, because in the end ‘nothing stops nature.’ If a rose can grow out of the concrete, then so can we.”
—Micah Hobbes Frazier
Tools for Emergent Strategy Facilitation:
““If you do not trust the people, they will become untrustworthy.”
—Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle. Some things are within your control. And some things are not.
Epictetus, Discourses