---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should blunt our sharp points, and…"
description: "\"“We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness, and bring ourselves into agreement with ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/211/lao-tzu-624_complications-things_we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unr_577495.jpg"
---

#  We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the…

![“We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness, and bring ourselves into agreement with the obscurity of others.” quote by Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/211/lao-tzu-624_complications-things_we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unr_577495.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/211/lao-tzu-624_complications-things_we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unr_577495.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/211/lao-tzu-624_complications-things_we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unr_577495.jpg)

> ““We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness, and bring ourselves into agreement with the obscurity of others.””

[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.

Humility and restraint foster harmony; tempering brilliance aligns us with others' modesty.

**In simple terms:** Be modest and adaptable to connect with others.

Key Takeaway

Practice humility to build rapport.

Themes

humility harmony modesty

Mood

reflective calm

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- teamwork
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- personal growth

Key Concepts

Taoist philosophy social cohesion

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance confidence with humility?
- When does modesty become self‑suppression?

A Different Perspective

Excessive self‑effacement can hinder authentic expression.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Blunt Sharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blunt-sharp-4055828/) [Complications Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complications-things-614719/) [Points Unravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/points-unravel-4753263/) [Sharp Points](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharp-points-4753262/) [Unravel Complications](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unravel-complications-4753261/)

## Related quotes

> [Building outrageous expectations about the next big thing - be it a personal video chatting service or venue-based photo sharing app - can create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holmes/building-outrageous-expectations-about-the-next-big-thing-be-it-a/)

[Ryan Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holmes/)

> [He was always smoothing and polishing himself, and in the end he became blunt before he was sharp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/he-was-always-smoothing-and-polishing-himself-and-in-the-end-he/)

[Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/)

## 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 Complications Things quotes

> [Building outrageous expectations about the next big thing - be it a personal video chatting service or venue-based photo sharing app - can create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holmes/building-outrageous-expectations-about-the-next-big-thing-be-it-a/)

[Ryan Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holmes/)

[Browse all 2 Complications Things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complications-things-614719/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness, and bring ourselves into agreement with the obscurity of others.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lao Tzu"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unravel-the-complications-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Complications Things"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unravel-the-complications-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/211/lao-tzu-624_complications-things_we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unr_577495.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/211/lao-tzu-624_complications-things_we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unr_577495.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/211/lao-tzu-624_complications-things_we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unr_577495.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our…” — 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": "“We should blunt our sharp points,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unravel-the-complications-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-should-blunt-our-sharp-points-and-unravel-the-complications-of/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
