--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She who is centered in the Tao can go…" description: "\"She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without danger. She perceives the universal harmony, even amid great pain, because she has foun..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/laozi-147_cooking_she-who-is-centered-in-the-tao-can-go-wh_2432632.jpg" --- # She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes… ![“She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without danger. She perceives the universal harmony, even amid great pain, because she has found peace in her heart. Music or the smell of good cooking may make people stop and enjoy. But words that point to the Tao seem monotonous and…” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/laozi-147_cooking_she-who-is-centered-in-the-tao-can-go-wh_2432632.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/laozi-147_cooking_she-who-is-centered-in-the-tao-can-go-wh_2432632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/laozi-147_cooking_she-who-is-centered-in-the-tao-can-go-wh_2432632.jpg) > “She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without danger. She perceives the universal harmony, even amid great pain, because she has found peace in her heart. Music or the smell of good cooking may make people stop and enjoy. But words that point to the Tao seem monotonous and without flavor. When you look for it, there is nothing to see. When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear. When you use it, it is inexhaustible.” [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. Living in harmony with the Tao grants inner peace and safety, allowing one to appreciate simple joys while transcending the need for explicit teachings. **In simple terms:** Inner peace makes life safe and joyful. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner harmony. Themes inner peace harmony mindfulness simplicity Mood calm reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily meditation - appreciating music or food - handling pain - seeking peace in chaos Key Concepts Taoism non‑attachment effortless action Questions to Reflect On - How can you find peace amid stress? - What simple pleasures ground you? A Different Perspective May overlook practical concerns in favor of abstraction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Centered Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centered-tao-300096/) [Cooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooking/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [Flavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flavor/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Good cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-cook/) [Harmony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harmony/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Monotonous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monotonous/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell/) [Stop Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-enjoy-300100/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Tao Monotonous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-monotonous-300097/) [Tao Wishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-wishes-300098/) [Universal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal/) [Universal Harmony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal-harmony-300099/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [The one who is conscious (in Tao) can't speak. The one who can speak is not conscious (centered in Tao)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-one-who-is-conscious-in-tao-can-t-speak-the-one-who-can-speak-is/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao can't be perceived. Smaller than an electron, it contains uncountable galaxies. If powerful men and women could remain centered in the Tao,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-can-t-be-perceived-smaller-than-an-electron-it-contains/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-way-is-easy-yet-people-prefer-the-side-paths-be-aware-when-2/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-way-is-easy-yet-people-prefer-the-side-paths-be-aware-when/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [This does not mean, of course, that we must think of waiting for the age of universal harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-pinsker/this-does-not-mean-of-course-that-we-must-think-of-waiting-for-the/) [Leon Pinsker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-pinsker/) > [I think universal harmony is a pipedream and it may be more productive to focus on more modest goals, like a ban on yodeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/i-think-universal-harmony-is-a-pipedream-and-it-may-be-more/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Each celestial body, in fact each and every atom, produces a particular sound on account of its movement, its rhythm or vibration. All these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/each-celestial-body-in-fact-each-and-every-atom-produces-a-particular/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [“As a spirit schooled to power, his perception stems from one absolute. Universal harmony begins with recognition that the life in an ordinary pebble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janny-wurts/as-a-spirit-schooled-to-power-his-perception-stems-from-one-absolute/) [Janny Wurts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janny-wurts/) > [Don't forget to stop and enjoy the beauty of nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-forget-to-stop-and-enjoy-the-beauty-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is not a puzzle to solve. Stop, Enjoy the Journey!-RVM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rvm/life-is-not-a-puzzle-to-solve-stop-enjoy-the-journey-rvm/) [RVM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rvm/) > [Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/plenty-of-people-miss-their-share-of-happiness-not-because-they-never/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [“It is the journey, and if you don't stop to enjoy the little treats along the way you will go insane.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ad-hudler/it-is-the-journey-and-if-you-don-t-stop-to-enjoy-the-little-treats/) [Ad Hudler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ad-hudler/) > [“Look forward to your future and don't forget your past but, stop to enjoy the present moment called now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/look-forward-to-your-future-and-don-t-forget-your-past-but-stop-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He's for us, He loves us, and sometimes, we need to just stop, enjoy His presence and take that in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-jobe/he-s-for-us-he-loves-us-and-sometimes-we-need-to-just-stop-enjoy-his/) [Kari Jobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kari-jobe/) > [There are some things that I like, like education, wine, and I'd like to be a good cook, although I'm a pretty good eater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-wagoner/there-are-some-things-that-i-like-like-education-wine-and-i-d-like-to/) [Rick Wagoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-wagoner/) ## 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 Cooking quotes > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [I enjoy cooking, but stick to modern dishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starkey/i-enjoy-cooking-but-stick-to-modern-dishes/) [David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [A man accustomed to American food and American domestic cookery would not starve to death suddenly in Europe, but I think he would gradually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-man-accustomed-to-american-food-and-american-domestic-cookery-would/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“In the back of the fridge I checked out some stewed apples destined to fester. I examined them closely and reckoned they had only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-brown/in-the-back-of-the-fridge-i-checked-out-some-stewed-apples-destined/) [Helen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-brown/) > [My Mom always cooked healthy. Greek food lends itself to cooking healthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-cora/my-mom-always-cooked-healthy-greek-food-lends-itself-to-cooking/) [Cat Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-cora/) > [Cooking brings me so much joy. I love everything, down to the execution of the plate to picking out fresh ingredients at the market.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-budig/cooking-brings-me-so-much-joy-i-love-everything-down-to-the-execution/) [Kathryn Budig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-budig/) > [Recipes don't work unless you use your heart!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-jones/recipes-don-t-work-unless-you-use-your-heart/) [Dylan Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-jones/) > [Cooking is 80 percent confidence, a skill best acquired starting from when the apron strings wrap around you twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/cooking-is-80-percent-confidence-a-skill-best-acquired-starting-from/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [I have a great time cooking and eating Thai green chicken curry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-have-a-great-time-cooking-and-eating-thai-green-chicken-curry/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There are times when born hollandaise heads, as well as nouveaux turbot freaks and recherche escargotphiles alike crave the saignet abundance of a New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gael-greene/there-are-times-when-born-hollandaise-heads-as-well-as-nouveaux/) [Gael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gael-greene/) > [Speaking of trust, ever since I wrote this book, 'Liespotting,' no one wants to meet me in person anymore - no, no, no, no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-meyer/speaking-of-trust-ever-since-i-wrote-this-book-liespotting-no-one/) [Pamela Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-meyer/) > [Balance is key in cooking - you want a little acid, a little sweet, a little savory - the flavors should be harmonious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-simmons/balance-is-key-in-cooking-you-want-a-little-acid-a-little-sweet-a/) [Gail Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-simmons/) > [A combination of the qualities of the scholar, the master cook, the painter, the gastronomer, the sportsman and the pantologist, assisted by the skill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ellwanger/a-combination-of-the-qualities-of-the-scholar-the-master-cook-the/) [George Ellwanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ellwanger/) [Browse all 2,937 Cooking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without danger. 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