--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A tree trunk the size of a man grows from…" description: "\"A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0a/laozi-147_blades_a-tree-trunk-the-size-of-a-man-grows-fro_941636.jpg" --- # A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin… ![“A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0a/laozi-147_blades_a-tree-trunk-the-size-of-a-man-grows-fro_941636.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0a/laozi-147_blades_a-tree-trunk-the-size-of-a-man-grows-fro_941636.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0a/laozi-147_blades_a-tree-trunk-the-size-of-a-man-grows-fro_941636.jpg) > “A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great things can arise from the smallest origins, showing the power of growth and potential. **In simple terms:** Small beginnings can become great. Key Takeaway Recognize and nurture tiny possibilities. Themes growth potential humility Mood reflective inspiring Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal development - entrepreneurship - environmental projects Key Concepts Taoism paradox scale Questions to Reflect On - What tiny seed could become a breakthrough? - How do you nurture small ideas? A Different Perspective Progress may be slow and unseen initially. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blades/) [Built](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/built/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grows/) [Grows Blade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grows-blade-1613230/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Man Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-grows-1150039/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nine/) [Size](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/size/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Tower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tower/) [Towers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/towers/) [Tree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tree/) [Tree Trunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tree-trunk-319181/) [Tree trunks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tree-trunks/) [Trees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trees/) [Trunks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trunks/) ## Related quotes > [I always thought jazz was like the trunk of a tree. After the tree has grown, many branches have spread out. They're all with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-hines/i-always-thought-jazz-was-like-the-trunk-of-a-tree-after-the-tree-has/) [Earl Hines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-hines/) > [I was self-conscious of what I would call my "tree-trunk legs" because they are very muscular... but now I've learned to love them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-hudgens/i-was-self-conscious-of-what-i-would-call-my-tree-trunk-legs-because/) [Vanessa Hudgens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-hudgens/) > [The appearance of strength is all about you. It would seem to last forever. However... the rotten tree-trunk, until the very moment when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/the-appearance-of-strength-is-all-about-you-it-would-seem-to-last/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [If my body were a tree trunk, the rings would surely reveal the time it has had to mature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-hensel/if-my-body-were-a-tree-trunk-the-rings-would-surely-reveal-the-time/) [Robert M. Hensel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-hensel/) > [However long it stays in the river the tree-trunk will never turn into a crocodile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ousmane-sembene/however-long-it-stays-in-the-river-the-tree-trunk-will-never-turn/) [Ousmane Sembene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ousmane-sembene/) > [For we are like tree trunks in the snow. In appearance they lie smoothly and a little push should be enough to set them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/for-we-are-like-tree-trunks-in-the-snow-in-appearance-they-lie/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [I'd like a relationship that was like two tree trunks side by side, strong but independent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agyness-deyn/i-d-like-a-relationship-that-was-like-two-tree-trunks-side-by-side/) [Agyness Deyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agyness-deyn/) > [Dante believed God punished suicides by trapping the person's spirit in a tree trunk. On Judgment Day, they were the only sinners who didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/dante-believed-god-punished-suicides-by-trapping-the-person-s-spirit/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [So let us raise a cheer ... for the insatiable spirit of Man eager for all new things! What a tale could have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-arthur-lewis/so-let-us-raise-a-cheer-for-the-insatiable-spirit-of-man-eager-for/) [Cecil Arthur Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-arthur-lewis/) > [I've enjoyed every age I've been, and each has had its own individual merit. Every laugh line, every scar, is a badge I wear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-benatar/i-ve-enjoyed-every-age-i-ve-been-and-each-has-had-its-own-individual/) [Pat Benatar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-benatar/) > [Very slowly, she peeked around the tree trunk. Saw a slim, petite figure, flanked by two very large, very dangerous-looking soldier of fortune types…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/very-slowly-she-peeked-around-the-tree-trunk-saw-a-slim-petite-figure/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [The tears that kept Buttercup company the remainder of the day were not at all like those that had blinded her into the tree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/the-tears-that-kept-buttercup-company-the-remainder-of-the-day-were/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [Repeat the truth so that the dull can grasp it! Repeat the truth with the speed of a woodpecker's beak making holes in tree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/repeat-the-truth-so-that-the-dull-can-grasp-it-repeat-the-truth-with/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [A kid thinks her mother is just that -- hers. A mother is also a woman, an independent being, who doesn't want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-courtney-sullivan/a-kid-thinks-her-mother-is-just-that-hers-a-mother-is-also-a-woman-an/) [J. Courtney Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-courtney-sullivan/) > [I have always been very interested in landscape... I find that all natural forms are a source of unending interest - tree trunks, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-moore/i-have-always-been-very-interested-in-landscape-i-find-that-all/) [Henry Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-moore/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Blades quotes > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. 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We are like a fine blade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-atchley-jr/our-past-is-the-forge-upon-which-we-are-hardened-and-tempered-to/) [Larry Atchley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-atchley-jr/) > [When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/when-a-buddha-is-painted-not-only-a-clay-altar-or-lump-of-earth-is/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [I felt freed to please myself, to find my way as I would, in a world that was much vaster than I had realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-lanagan/i-felt-freed-to-please-myself-to-find-my-way-as-i-would-in-a-world/) [Margo Lanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-lanagan/) > [I would like to see a fierce Fantasia mixed with Blade Runner, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars all in one. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rodriguez/i-would-like-to-see-a-fierce-fantasia-mixed-with-blade-runner-lord-of/) [Michelle Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rodriguez/) > [Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Heavy role in the movies that I've done that I have loved and fit my soul; A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, Sling Blade, One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/heavy-role-in-the-movies-that-i-ve-done-that-i-have-loved-and-fit-my/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Staring at her face, she began to fancy her outer layer had begun to melt away while she wasn't paying attention, and something --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/staring-at-her-face-she-began-to-fancy-her-outer-layer-had-begun-to/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [You need flawless balance on the recovery. You need white hot focus and the concentration to row square blades cleanly for seven miles. Smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/you-need-flawless-balance-on-the-recovery-you-need-white-hot-focus/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [If you look at 'Blade Runner,' it's been cut sixteen ways from Sunday, and there are all kinds of different versions of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/if-you-look-at-blade-runner-it-s-been-cut-sixteen-ways-from-sunday/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Here's an example: someone says, "Master, please hand me the knife," and he hands them the knife, blade first. "Please give me the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/here-s-an-example-someone-says-master-please-hand-me-the-knife-and-he/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [It's ninety-six degrees in the shade... Before I catch blood on my blade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-murray/it-s-ninety-six-degrees-in-the-shade-before-i-catch-blood-on-my-blade/) [Keith Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-murray/) > ["Lay the knife at the tips of your fingers," Rob commanded. "So close youcan feel the blade against your skins. Then cut the shadow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/lay-the-knife-at-the-tips-of-your-fingers-rob-commanded-so-close/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) [Browse all 490 Blades quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blades/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair. 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