Goods and possessions are no gain in his eyes. He stays…
“Goods and possessions are no gain in his eyes. He stays far from wealth and honor. Long life is no ground for joy, nor early death for sorrow. Success is not for him to be pround of, failure is no shame. Had he all the world's power he would not hold it as his own. If he conquered everything he would not take it to himself. His glory is in knowing that all things come together in One and life and death are equal.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The sage sees possessions, status, and outcomes as indifferent, valuing unity of all things over personal pride or shame.
In simple terms: All is equal; ego is irrelevant.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and unity.
Themes
humility
unity
detachment
ego
life
death
Mood
contemplative
serene
reflective
Type
philosophical
spiritual
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decisionmaking
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- spiritual practice
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
Taoist philosophy
non-duality
equanimity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you measure success without ego?
- What does it mean to see life and death as equal?
A Different Perspective
Even the wise can become attached to ideas of unity, undermining the lesson.