---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and…"
description: "\"“The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing.”\" — Lao Tzu"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/lao-tzu-624_quote_the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-c_2134825.jpg"
---

#  The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by…

![“The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing.” quote by Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/lao-tzu-624_quote_the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-c_2134825.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/lao-tzu-624_quote_the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-c_2134825.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/lao-tzu-624_quote_the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-c_2134825.jpg)

> ““The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing.””

[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.

Spiritual attainment cannot be achieved through forceful action; it requires a gentle, non‑active approach.

**In simple terms:** Spirit cannot be forced; requires gentle non‑action.

Key Takeaway

Practice effortless effort and humility.

Themes

spirituality philosophy mindfulness non‑action wisdom

Mood

calm reflective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- meditation
- quiet contemplation
- simple living
- nature walks

Key Concepts

Wu‑wei inner peace spiritual growth

Questions to Reflect On

- When is active effort necessary?
- How to balance non‑action with responsibility?

A Different Perspective

Non‑action may be misinterpreted as passivity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Active Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-doing-2362884/) [Kingdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingdom/) [Kingdom Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingdom-spirit-4416929/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Spirit Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit-like-408860/)

## Related quotes

> [Laziness is the definition of being very active &amp; doing nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/punkinhead-abhishek/laziness-is-the-definition-of-being-very-active-doing-nothing/)

[Punkinhead Abhishek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/punkinhead-abhishek/)

> [I don't know that I'm a free spirit or anything like that. I just have my own way of doing things. That's the charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-schultz/i-don-t-know-that-i-m-a-free-spirit-or-anything-like-that-i-just-have/)

[Dave Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-schultz/)

> [Knowledge without Spirit is like finding yourself on a cold night with all the wood in the world and no flame to ignite it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/knowledge-without-spirit-is-like-finding-yourself-on-a-cold-night/)

[Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/)

> [“my mother used to say that nothing limited the human spirit like propriety.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/my-mother-used-to-say-that-nothing-limited-the-human-spirit-like/)

[Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/)

> [“When nations resort to arms, the human spirit is like a bird that cannot stand to hear its own song.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoenix-desmond/when-nations-resort-to-arms-the-human-spirit-is-like-a-bird-that/)

[Phoenix Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoenix-desmond/)

> [“•Spirit is like hell of difficulties, problems, etc .. But only we humans create our life easy heaven by spreading love all over.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lav-bamaniya/spirit-is-like-hell-of-difficulties-problems-etc-but-only-we-humans/)

[Lav bamaniya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lav-bamaniya/)

> [The Spirit is like the steady axis of a wheel. If our attention reaches the immovable firm axis at the very centre of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/the-spirit-is-like-the-steady-axis-of-a-wheel-if-our-attention/)

[Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/)

> [Praying in tongues charges your spirit like a battery charger charges a battery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-e-hagin/praying-in-tongues-charges-your-spirit-like-a-battery-charger-charges/)

[Kenneth E. Hagin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-e-hagin/)

> [A Woman in Harmony with her Spirit is like a river flowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/a-woman-in-harmony-with-her-spirit-is-like-a-river-flowing/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [With One Spirit Medicine , you will discover how to dance between the visible, physical world of the senses and everyday tasks, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-villoldo/with-one-spirit-medicine-you-will-discover-how-to-dance-between-the/)

[Alberto Villoldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-villoldo/)

> [A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/a-child-s-spirit-is-like-a-child-you-can-never-catch-it-by-running/)

[Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/)

> [A spirit is, like, your mother, my dad, who've made it. They can come around, but they come around in a loving way because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/a-spirit-is-like-your-mother-my-dad-who-ve-made-it-they-can-come/)

[Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/)

> [“His spirit is like a guttering candle”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-brooks/his-spirit-is-like-a-guttering-candle/)

[Geraldine Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-brooks/)

> [“It is because you are generous in spirit; and may I be like that; may I become like you—which unrealistic wish, to become the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/it-is-because-you-are-generous-in-spirit-and-may-i-be-like-that-may-i/)

[Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/)

> [When you are the Spirit, you are like a brilliant diamond, which is giving light by itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/when-you-are-the-spirit-you-are-like-a-brilliant-diamond-which-is/)

[Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/)

## More by Lao Tzu

> [“This is how they are able to continue and endure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-how-they-are-able-to-continue-and-endure/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“Gravity is the root of lightness;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/gravity-is-the-root-of-lightness/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“Therefore the Tao is great;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-tao-is-great/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/not-seeking-not-expecting-she-is-present-and-can-welcome-all-things/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“What all men fear is indeed to be feared;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/what-all-men-fear-is-indeed-to-be-feared/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“Just remain in the center; watching. 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. If you boast, you will have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-show-yourself-you-will-not-be-seen-if-you-affirm-yourself-you/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-thirty-spokes-unite-in-the-one-nave-but-it-is-on-the-empty-space/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/to-know-and-yet-think-we-do-not-know-is-the-highest-attainment-not-to/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. 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. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/simplicity-without-a-name-is-free-from-all-external-aim-with-no/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/when-gold-and-jade-fill-the-hall-their-possessor-cannot-keep-them-safe/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

> [“We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the Inaudible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-listen-to-it-and-we-do-not-hear-it-and-we-name-it-the-inaudible/)

[Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

[Explore all 434 Lao Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/)

## More Kingdom quotes

> [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [“There is no interaction without God with interaction with men”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/there-is-no-interaction-without-god-with-interaction-with-men/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/)

[Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [If Jesus is king in heaven then the Kingdom of God is in heaven. If Jesus is king, reign on earth then the Kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/if-jesus-is-king-in-heaven-then-the-kingdom-of-god-is-in-heaven-if/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [“I have established my throne in heaven, and my kingdom rules over all. The day is mine, and mine also the night; I established…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhang-yun/i-have-established-my-throne-in-heaven-and-my-kingdom-rules-over-all/)

[Zhang Yun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhang-yun/)

> [“I once knew a man who was heir to the throne of a great kingdom, he lived as a ranger and fought his destiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/i-once-knew-a-man-who-was-heir-to-the-throne-of-a-great-kingdom-he/)

[C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/)

> [“People-based service is God-based service”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/people-based-service-is-god-based-service/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [“Worship of God is not restricted to believers alone”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/worship-of-god-is-not-restricted-to-believers-alone/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [Every man carries his kingdom within, and no one knows what is taking place in another's kingdom. 'No one understands me!' Of course they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/every-man-carries-his-kingdom-within-and-no-one-knows-what-is-taking/)

[Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/)

> [“Always put your heart into and show commitment in whatever you do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/always-put-your-heart-into-and-show-commitment-in-whatever-you-do/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [Small things, little actions, simple faith and minuscule events, when placed in the Master's hands, they become molecules of godly impacts that will transform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-kang/small-things-little-actions-simple-faith-and-minuscule-events-when/)

[Albert Kang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-kang/)

> [Mind is a kingdom to the man who gathereth his pleasure from ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/mind-is-a-kingdom-to-the-man-who-gathereth-his-pleasure-from-ideas/)

[Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/)

> [“KINGDOM OF THE WOMB From her thighs, she gives you life And how you treat she who gives you life Shows how much you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/kingdom-of-the-womb-from-her-thighs-she-gives-you-life-and-how-you/)

[Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/)

> [“The call to “take the land” ...is not a call to a new political, cultural or geographical dominance. It is Kingdom of God territory.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-baker/the-call-to-take-the-land-is-not-a-call-to-a-new-political-cultural/)

[Ken Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-baker/)

[Browse all 1,072 Kingdom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingdom/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lao Tzu"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-cannot-be-got-by-active-doing/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Kingdom"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-cannot-be-got-by-active-doing/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/lao-tzu-624_quote_the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-c_2134825.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/lao-tzu-624_quote_the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-c_2134825.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/lao-tzu-624_quote_the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-c_2134825.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing.” — Lao Tzu",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Lao Tzu",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The kingdom is a spirit-like thing,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-cannot-be-got-by-active-doing/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-kingdom-is-a-spirit-like-thing-and-cannot-be-got-by-active-doing/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
