Common Quote by Laozi
“The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as a stone.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Tao Te Ching, attributed to Laozi, circa 400 BC
Seeing individual parts with compassion reflects understanding the whole; humility guides one to be shaped by the Tao like a simple stone.
In simple terms: Compassion for parts shows whole‑wise humility.
Key Takeaway
Practice humility, let the Tao shape you.
Themes
compassion
humility
wholeness
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Taoism
interconnectedness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing the whole change your treatment of parts?
- What habits foster humility?
A Different Perspective
Humility may be undervalued in competitive cultures.
![“[The Master] doesn't glitter like a jewel... [but is] as rugged and common as a stone.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df7/laozi-147_common_the-master-doesn-t-glitter-like-a-jewel_1986206.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
