--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the…" description: "\"The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right, all things depend on it to exist, and it does not abandon them. To its accomplishments it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/laozi-147_abandon_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-to-the-le_1192539.jpg" --- # The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the… ![“The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right, all things depend on it to exist, and it does not abandon them. To its accomplishments it lays no claims. It loves and nourished all things, but does not lord it over them.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/laozi-147_abandon_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-to-the-le_1192539.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/laozi-147_abandon_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-to-the-le_1192539.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/laozi-147_abandon_the-great-tao-flows-everywhere-to-the-le_1192539.jpg) > “The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right, all things depend on it to exist, and it does not abandon them. To its accomplishments it lays no claims. It loves and nourished all things, but does not lord it over them.” [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 all‑encompassing, selfless, nurturing without claiming, supporting everything without dominance **In simple terms:** The Tao gives without asking and never claims ownership Key Takeaway Live selflessly and support others without control Themes philosophy humility balance Mood calm reflective Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - conflict resolution - environmental stewardship - personal growth Key Concepts Taoism non‑attachment natural order Questions to Reflect On - How can you nurture without seeking credit? - What does “non‑attachment” look like daily? A Different Perspective Applying selfless support can be challenging in competitive contexts ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) [Flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flow/) [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn't create them. 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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. 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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. 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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. 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