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He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who…

“He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who takes hold of a thing (in the same way) loses his hold.” quote by Lao Tzu
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““He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who takes hold of a thing (in the same way) loses his hold.””

Lao Tzu

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Pursuing hidden motives leads to harm; grasping something the same way can cause loss of control.

In simple terms: Hidden motives cause harm and loss.

Key Takeaway

Act with pure intent and let go of attachment.

Themes

morality intent attachment control wisdom

Mood

contemplative cautious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • business negotiations
  • personal relationships
  • political decisions
  • creative projects

Key Concepts

philosophy ethics mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

  • What motives drive your actions?
  • How can you release attachment without losing purpose?
A Different Perspective

Pure intentions may be hard to maintain under pressure.

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