--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull…" description: "\"Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness, untie the knots, dim the light, become one with the dust. This is called the profound union.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3c/laozi-147_doors_seal-the-openings-shut-the-doors-dull-th_953317.jpg" --- # Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness… ![“Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness, untie the knots, dim the light, become one with the dust. This is called the profound union.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3c/laozi-147_doors_seal-the-openings-shut-the-doors-dull-th_953317.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3c/laozi-147_doors_seal-the-openings-shut-the-doors-dull-th_953317.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3c/laozi-147_doors_seal-the-openings-shut-the-doors-dull-th_953317.jpg) > “Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness, untie the knots, dim the light, become one with the dust. This is called the profound union.” [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. Embrace humility and simplicity, letting go of ego to merge with the natural flow of existence. **In simple terms:** Let go of ego and become one with nature. Key Takeaway Practice humility and surrender to the present. Themes humility spirituality inner peace Mood calm contemplative Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - meditation - stressful work - creative block - daily routines Key Concepts non‑attachment Taoist philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What does “becoming one with the dust” mean to you? - How can humility improve your relationships? A Different Perspective Total surrender may ignore necessary boundaries. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Called Profound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-profound-1713741/) [Doors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doors/) [Dull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dull/) [Dust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dust/) [Knots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knots/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light Dust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-dust-1272815/) [Opening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening/) [Profound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profound/) [Profound Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profound-union-472240/) [Seals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seals/) [Sharpness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharpness/) [Sharpness Untie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharpness-untie-1713743/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Unions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unions/) ## Related quotes > [Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/close-your-mouth-block-off-your-senses-blunt-your-sharpness-untie/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To produce things and to rear them, To produce, but not to take possession of them, To act, but not to rely on one's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/to-produce-things-and-to-rear-them-to-produce-but-not-to-take/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If one desires to receive one must first give. This is called profound understanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-one-desires-to-receive-one-must-first-give-this-is-called-profound/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The fruits of this profound union with Jesus are marvelous: our whole being is transformed by the grace of the Holy Spirit: soul, intelligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-fruits-of-this-profound-union-with-jesus-are-marvelous-our-whole/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-know-don-t-talk-those-who-talk-don-t-know-close-your-mouth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you are bathed In God's Forgiveness-Light, Then no dust of earth Will be able to cling to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/if-you-are-bathed-in-god-s-forgiveness-light-then-no-dust-of-earth/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [In art and music, particularly in the 20th century, there was a big period there where for something to be called profound you had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-bell/in-art-and-music-particularly-in-the-20th-century-there-was-a-big/) [Joshua Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-bell/) > [When the lamp is shattered The light in the dust lies dead — When the cloud is scattered The rainbow's glory is shed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/when-the-lamp-is-shattered-the-light-in-the-dust-lies-dead-when-the/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [“Even in rainier areas, where dust is less inexorable and submits to brooms and rags, it is generally detested, because dust is not organized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-leach/even-in-rainier-areas-where-dust-is-less-inexorable-and-submits-to/) [Amy Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-leach/) > [Pounding an edge to sharpness will not make it last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/pounding-an-edge-to-sharpness-will-not-make-it-last/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [A good mooring needs no knot, still no one can untie it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-good-mooring-needs-no-knot-still-no-one-can-untie-it/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Let people return to making knots on ropes, instead of writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/let-people-return-to-making-knots-on-ropes-instead-of-writing/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Be an example to your men, in your duty and in private life. Never spare yourself, and let the troops see that you don'tin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-rommel/be-an-example-to-your-men-in-your-duty-and-in-private-life-never/) [Erwin Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-rommel/) > [War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-must-be-while-we-defend-our-lives-against-a-destroyer-who-would/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I watch people get older and lose their intellectual acuity; you lose that sharpness, that cleanness, that brain that you worked so hard on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-courtenay/i-watch-people-get-older-and-lose-their-intellectual-acuity-you-lose/) [Bryce Courtenay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-courtenay/) ## 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 Doors quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [When you have counted eighty years and more, Time and Fate will batter at your door; But if you should survive to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khushwant-singh/when-you-have-counted-eighty-years-and-more-time-and-fate-will-batter/) [Khushwant Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khushwant-singh/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [We can't love a place or a person if we always have one foot out the door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weiner/we-can-t-love-a-place-or-a-person-if-we-always-have-one-foot-out-the/) [Eric Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weiner/) > [Kindness unlocks doors that were thought to be closed forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/kindness-unlocks-doors-that-were-thought-to-be-closed-forever/) [Unkown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unkown/) > [I haven't shut any doors, and I'm really open to anything, so I think it's just about the material and what is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-panabaker/i-haven-t-shut-any-doors-and-i-m-really-open-to-anything-so-i-think/) [Danielle Panabaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-panabaker/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [The odor of bowel wind is known to every human, but the fragrance of book glue has crossed only a fraction of mortal nostrils.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-odor-of-bowel-wind-is-known-to-every-human-but-the-fragrance-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had always assumed that the right way to do it was to these engineers, put them in offices by themselves with doors that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schmidt/i-had-always-assumed-that-the-right-way-to-do-it-was-to-these/) [Eric Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schmidt/) > [A home isn't just a roof over our heads. A home is a place where we feel loved and where we love others. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-home-isn-t-just-a-roof-over-our-heads-a-home-is-a-place-where-we/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [I think that's the beauty of the current setup, is that Legends is meant to be a bit of a revolving door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/i-think-that-s-the-beauty-of-the-current-setup-is-that-legends-is/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) > [In the beginning I was just a makeup artist and I never really pictured myself doing anything else. 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