← Back to quotes

Holding oneself dear

"If the people do not fear the dreadful, the great dreadful will come, surely. Do not render their lives narrow. Do not make their lot wearisome. When it is not made wearisome, then it will not be wearisome. Therefore, the holy man knows himself but does not display himself. He holds himself dear but does not honor himself. Thus he discards the latter and chooses the former."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"If the people do not fear the dreadful, the great dreadful will come, surely. Do not render their lives narrow. Do not make their lot wearisome. When it is not made wearisome, then it will not be wearisome. Therefore, the holy man knows himself but does not display himself. He holds himself dear but does not honor himself. Thus he discards the latter and chooses the former."

Loading…
Loading the web debug toolbar…
Attempt #