--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In dwelling, live close to the ground. In…" description: "\"“In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c59/lao-tzu-624_dwelling_in-dwelling-live-close-to-the-ground-in_376680.jpg" --- # In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep… ![“In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy.” quote by Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c59/lao-tzu-624_dwelling_in-dwelling-live-close-to-the-ground-in_376680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c59/lao-tzu-624_dwelling_in-dwelling-live-close-to-the-ground-in_376680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c59/lao-tzu-624_dwelling_in-dwelling-live-close-to-the-ground-in_376680.jpg) > ““In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy.”” [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. Advocates simplicity, fairness, and non‑control in all aspects of life, urging natural, enjoyable work. **In simple terms:** Live simply, act fairly, avoid control, enjoy work. Key Takeaway Embrace simplicity and generosity. Themes simplicity fairness non‑control enjoyment Mood calm reflective Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - personal life - leadership - career choices - conflict resolution Key Concepts Taoism ethical living balance Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply simplicity in daily decisions? - What does “don’t try to control” mean in leadership? A Different Perspective May be idealistic for complex modern systems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dwelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling/) [Dwelling Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling-live-3240818/) [Governing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governing/) [Ground Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ground-thinking-3240819/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Work Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-enjoy/) ## Related quotes > [In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-dwelling-live-close-to-the-ground-in-thinking-keep-to-the-simple-3/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-dwelling-live-close-to-the-ground-in-thinking-keep-to-the-simple-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-supreme-good-is-like-water-which-nourishes-all-things-without/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-difficulty-in-governing-the-people-arises-from-their-having-much/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“In dwelling, choose modest quarters, in thinking, value stillness, in dealing with others, be kind, in choosing words, be sincere, in leading, be just,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/in-dwelling-choose-modest-quarters-in-thinking-value-stillness-in/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/work-at-something-you-enjoy-and-that-s-worthy-of-your-time-and-talent/) [H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/) > [If you enjoy working with someone, you must work with them. Again and again and again. If you enjoy the atmosphere and your work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/if-you-enjoy-working-with-someone-you-must-work-with-them-again-and/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [Can someone do music for 24 hours at a stretch and never get tired? It's me. Because I don't 'work'. I enjoy what am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilaiyaraaja/can-someone-do-music-for-24-hours-at-a-stretch-and-never-get-tired-it/) [Ilaiyaraaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilaiyaraaja/) > [It's a way of living, sharing things with people who work with me, and they seem to enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/it-s-a-way-of-living-sharing-things-with-people-who-work-with-me-and/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [Be a warhorse for work and enjoy even the struggle against defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-henri/be-a-warhorse-for-work-and-enjoy-even-the-struggle-against-defeat/) [Robert Henri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-henri/) > [I like to work. 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And then forget that you are there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/just-remain-in-the-center-watching-and-then-forget-that-you-are-there/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-what-is-called-the-mysterious-quality-of-the-tao/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you show yourself, you will not be seen. If you affirm yourself, you will not shine. 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He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/he-who-knows-other-men-is-discerning-he-who-knows-himself-is/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you are depressed, you are living in the past; if you are anxious, you are living in the present; if you are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-are-depressed-you-are-living-in-the-past-if-you-are-anxious/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. 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Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) > [Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dwelling-on-the-negative-simply-contributes-to-its-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The concept of country, homeland, dwelling place becomes simplified as "the environment" -- that is, what surrounds us, we have already made a profound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-concept-of-country-homeland-dwelling-place-becomes-simplified-as/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [The incorruptible things are all within the narrow gate. 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