--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The great Tao flows everywhere. All…" description: "\"The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn't create them. It pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim. It nouri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/laozi-147_all-things_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-thing_1372506.jpg" --- # The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from… ![“The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn't create them. It pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim. It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn't hold on to them. Since it is merged with all things and hidden in their hearts, it can be called humble. Since…” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/laozi-147_all-things_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-thing_1372506.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/laozi-147_all-things_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-thing_1372506.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/laozi-147_all-things_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-thing_1372506.jpg) > “The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn't create them. It pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim. It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn't hold on to them. Since it is merged with all things and hidden in their hearts, it can be called humble. Since all things vanish into it and it alone endures, it can be called great. It isn't aware of its greatness; thus it is truly great.” [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. The Tao is selfless, nurturing all without attachment, embodying humility and greatness through effortless presence. **In simple terms:** Tao gives without claiming, stays humble yet great. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and selfless service. Themes humility greatness interconnectedness Mood calm contemplative Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - leadership - teaching - community building Key Concepts Taoism non-attachment effortless action Questions to Reflect On - How can you serve without expecting reward? - What does humility look like in your daily life? A Different Perspective It may be hard to act without seeking recognition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [All things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-things/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Called Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-humble-3026374/) [Claims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claims/) [Endure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endure/) [Flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flow/) [Great Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-tao-1032474/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) [Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble/) [Infinite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinite/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Tao Flows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-flows-3543991/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right, all things depend on it to exist, and it does not abandon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-to-the-left-and-to-the-right-all/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“If I were suddenly to become known, and (put into a position to) conduct (a government) according to the Great Tao, what I should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-i-were-suddenly-to-become-known-and-put-into-a-position-to-conduct/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/if-my-people-who-are-called-by-my-name-humble-themselves-and-pray-and/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [If princes and kings could follow it (Tao), all things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite and sweet dew would fall.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-princes-and-kings-could-follow-it-tao-all-things-would-by/) [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 Tao is unpredictable to those that live according to plans. Only those who have no agenda are in harmony with the Tao.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-unpredictable-to-those-that-live-according-to-plans-only/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is told is not the Tao.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-told-is-not-the-tao/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-infinite-eternal-why-is-it-eternal-it-was-never-born-thus/) [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 Tao which you know is not the eternal Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-which-you-know-is-not-the-eternal-tao/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao. It springs into existence, unconscious, perfect, free, takes on a physical body, lets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/every-being-in-the-universe-is-an-expression-of-the-tao-it-springs/) [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/) > [Why is the tao so valuable? Because it is everywhere, and everyone can use it. This is why those who seek will find, And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/why-is-the-tao-so-valuable-because-it-is-everywhere-and-everyone-can/) [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/) > [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/) ## 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 All things quotes > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/) [Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/) > [Dear God, I trust that no matter what happens in my life, it is for my highest good. And no matter what happens in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/dear-god-i-trust-that-no-matter-what-happens-in-my-life-it-is-for-my/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Moderation, honey, in all things but love and chocolate. That's my motto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-bretton/moderation-honey-in-all-things-but-love-and-chocolate-that-s-my-motto/) [Barbara Bretton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-bretton/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) [James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/) > [What greater weakness can there be than not to know what is the source of one's being, of one's life, of one's senses, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/what-greater-weakness-can-there-be-than-not-to-know-what-is-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [When I was in my teens I had a series of intensely religious experiences. They deepened my sense of God as the creator of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/when-i-was-in-my-teens-i-had-a-series-of-intensely-religious/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) > [It is more than a little ironic that "capital accumulation" once a rather tendentious Marxian view of a supposed capitalist obsession, should have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kuttner/it-is-more-than-a-little-ironic-that-capital-accumulation-once-a/) [Robert Kuttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kuttner/) > [The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, as it pleases him, for he can do all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-lord-gives-and-the-lord-takes-away-as-it-pleases-him-for-he-can/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Time, which wears down and diminishes all things, augments and increases good deeds, because a good turn liberally offered to a reasonable man grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/time-which-wears-down-and-diminishes-all-things-augments-and/) [Francois Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/) > [Standing as a witness in all things means being kind in all things, being the first to say hello, being the first to smile,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-d-nadauld/standing-as-a-witness-in-all-things-means-being-kind-in-all-things/) [Margaret D. Nadauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-d-nadauld/) > [The eternal principle, which never was born, never will die: it is in all things: it is in you now. You are the wave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-eternal-principle-which-never-was-born-never-will-die-it-is-in/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The U.S. Army has recently removed the cross from the insignia worn by chaplains. In its place is a sun with its rays, symbolizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-murray/the-u-s-army-has-recently-removed-the-cross-from-the-insignia-worn-by/) [Chris Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-murray/) > [...God does not possess a private knowledge of Himself and a separate knowledge of all the creatures in common. The universal Cause, by knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-dionysius/god-does-not-possess-a-private-knowledge-of-himself-and-a-separate/) [Pope Dionysius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-dionysius/) [Browse all 2,486 All things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-things/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn't create them. It pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim. It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn't hold on to them. Since it is merged with all things and hidden in their hearts, it can be called humble. Since all things vanish into it and it alone endures, it can be called great. It isn't aware of its greatness; thus it is truly great.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-things-are-born-from-it-yet-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "All things" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-things-are-born-from-it-yet-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/laozi-147_all-things_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-thing_1372506.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/laozi-147_all-things_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-thing_1372506.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/laozi-147_all-things_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-thing_1372506.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn't create them. It pours itself…” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The great Tao flows everywhere. All...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-things-are-born-from-it-yet-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-all-things-are-born-from-it-yet-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```