--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and…" description: "\"Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and people will return to the family ties.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/laozi-147_abandon_abandon-benevolence-discard-duty-and-peo_1038445.jpg" --- # Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and people will return… ![“Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and people will return to the family ties.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/laozi-147_abandon_abandon-benevolence-discard-duty-and-peo_1038445.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/laozi-147_abandon_abandon-benevolence-discard-duty-and-peo_1038445.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/laozi-147_abandon_abandon-benevolence-discard-duty-and-peo_1038445.jpg) > “Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and people will return to the family ties.” [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. Advocates abandoning moral impositions and duty to return to natural familial bonds, suggesting authentic relationships over imposed obligations. **In simple terms:** Drop duties, return to family ties. Key Takeaway Prioritize natural relationships. Themes family authenticity natural order Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - family reunions - community living Key Concepts Taoist philosophy social contract human nature Questions to Reflect On - What does “family ties” mean today? - How to balance duty with authenticity? A Different Perspective May conflict with modern societal roles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benevolence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolence/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Family ties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-ties/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Ties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ties/) ## Related quotes > [“If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-we-could-renounce-our-benevolence-and-discard-our-righteousness/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [ “In the eusocial \[bee\] hive, just a single wintering would result in being driven out for the greater good. And it may well be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-may/in-the-eusocial-bee-hive-just-a-single-wintering-would-result-in/) Katherine May > [“Having somewhere to go is what we call home. Having someone to love, who loves us in return, is what we call family. Having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rathore/having-somewhere-to-go-is-what-we-call-home-having-someone-to-love-2/) [Michelle Rathore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rathore/) > [There are moments we return to, now and always. Family is like water - it has a memory of what it once filled, always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colum-mccann/there-are-moments-we-return-to-now-and-always-family-is-like-water-it-2/) [Colum McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colum-mccann/) > [Tuesday will be a tough night for me. It's like to return to the family who have not seen you for a long time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristiano-ronaldo/tuesday-will-be-a-tough-night-for-me-it-s-like-to-return-to-the/) [Cristiano Ronaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristiano-ronaldo/) > [“There are moments we return to, now and always. Family is like water--it has a memory of what it once filled, always trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colum-mccann/there-are-moments-we-return-to-now-and-always-family-is-like-water-it/) [Colum McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colum-mccann/) > [When family ties are disturbed, devoted children arise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-family-ties-are-disturbed-devoted-children-arise/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The highest benevolence acts without purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-highest-benevolence-acts-without-purpose/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-the-great-tao-is-abandoned-benevolence-and-righteousness-arise/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [When the Way is lost there is virtue. When virtue is lost there is benevolence. When benevolence is lost there is righteousness. When righteousness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-the-way-is-lost-there-is-virtue-when-virtue-is-lost-there-is/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If, for instance, you put in a Malay officer who's very religious and who has family ties in Malaysia in charge of a machine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/if-for-instance-you-put-in-a-malay-officer-who-s-very-religious-and/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [The shows I loved as a kid were 'The Brady Bunch,' 'Gilligan's Island,' 'What's Happening!!,' 'Who's The Boss,' 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' 'The Love Boat,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-grossman/the-shows-i-loved-as-a-kid-were-the-brady-bunch-gilligan-s-island/) [Leslie Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-grossman/) > [ If \[people\] place such things as friendship and family ties above their own productive work, yes, then they are immoral. Friendship, family life and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/if-people-place-such-things-as-friendship-and-family-ties-above-their/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“I went over to the narrow closet and picked out another outfit, glancing behind me to make sure Bones had shut the door before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/i-went-over-to-the-narrow-closet-and-picked-out-another-outfit/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [“The folk of a Celtic type, whether pre-Celtic, Celtic, or Norse, have all spoken a Celtic language and exhibit the same old Celtic characteristics—vanity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-macculloch/the-folk-of-a-celtic-type-whether-pre-celtic-celtic-or-norse-have-all/) J.A. Macculloch ## 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 Abandon quotes > [Humans are, as Sartre put it, 'condemned to be free'. To insist that science, or God, objectively defines moral values is to abandon our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenan-malik/humans-are-as-sartre-put-it-condemned-to-be-free-to-insist-that/) Kenan Malik > [The purpose of a spirit filled life is to demonstrate the supernatural power of our living God so that the unsaved multitudes will abandon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-l-osborn/the-purpose-of-a-spirit-filled-life-is-to-demonstrate-the/) [T.L. Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-l-osborn/) > [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I would leave at once, but it would be cruel to abandon a lady in a foreign land with a maniac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-would-leave-at-once-but-it-would-be-cruel-to-abandon-a-lady-in-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When we fall utterly, something gathers us up. But our falling must be without reservation, without expectation, without hope, though not hopeless. You cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-housden/when-we-fall-utterly-something-gathers-us-up-but-our-falling-must-be/) [Roger Housden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-housden/) > [every subjective phenomenon is essentially connected with a single point of view, and it seems inevitable that an objective, physical theory will abandon that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/every-subjective-phenomenon-is-essentially-connected-with-a-single/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [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/) > [Every great thing starts with an idea, followed by a doubt and finally a resolve to abandon or pursue. Victory is a treacherous journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/every-great-thing-starts-with-an-idea-followed-by-a-doubt-and-finally/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/those-who-have-been-once-intoxicated-with-power-and-have-derived-any/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Do not lose hope; St. Joseph also experienced moments of difficulty, but he never lost faith and was able to overcome them, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/do-not-lose-hope-st-joseph-also-experienced-moments-of-difficulty-but/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [It is a dangerous and fateful presumption, besides the absurd temerity that it implies, to disdain what we do not comprehend. For after you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-dangerous-and-fateful-presumption-besides-the-absurd-temerity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don't give up because things are hard, but work harder, when you think of giving up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/don-t-give-up-because-things-are-hard-but-work-harder-when-you-think/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [Sex is not the ultimate high, but the ultimate high hangs out around sex. 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