--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The sage governs by emptying senses and…" description: "\"The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/laozi-147_belly_the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and_2346645.jpg" --- # The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies. ![“The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/laozi-147_belly_the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and_2346645.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/laozi-147_belly_the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and_2346645.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/laozi-147_belly_the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and_2346645.jpg) > “The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.” [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. A wise ruler leads by reducing desires and providing basic needs, allowing people to be content and self‑sufficient. **In simple terms:** Govern by simplicity and meet basic needs. Key Takeaway Lead with humility and provision. Themes leadership simplicity contentment Mood calm reflective Type philosophical guiding When to use this quote - government policy - community management - personal leadership Key Concepts Taoist philosophy minimalism Questions to Reflect On - How can a leader balance minimalism with innovation? - What needs are essential versus optional? A Different Perspective May neglect intellectual growth if over‑emphasized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sage/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [The True Person governs by emptying the heart of desire and filling the belly with food, weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-true-person-governs-by-emptying-the-heart-of-desire-and-filling/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What can be sustained and repeated without emptying out?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-peacock/what-can-be-sustained-and-repeated-without-emptying-out/) [Jan Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-peacock/) > [My new work deals with emptying my body: 'Boat emptying, stream entering.' This means that you have to empty the body/boat to the point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-abramovic/my-new-work-deals-with-emptying-my-body-boat-emptying-stream-entering/) [Marina Abramovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-abramovic/) > [If ever you feel God is taking away something from your hand, don't get sad. He is only emptying it so you can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-ever-you-feel-god-is-taking-away-something-from-your-hand-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Satisfaction comes from emptying ourselves into things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-kelly/satisfaction-comes-from-emptying-ourselves-into-things/) [Matthew Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-kelly/) > [we learn the process of emptying out, cleaning house, both within and without.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-shoshanna/we-learn-the-process-of-emptying-out-cleaning-house-both-within-and/) [Brenda Shoshanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-shoshanna/) > [Fullness of joy is discovered only in the emptying of will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/fullness-of-joy-is-discovered-only-in-the-emptying-of-will/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“emptying out of my mother's belly was my first act of disappearance learning to shrink for a family who likes their daughters invisible was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupi-kaur/emptying-out-of-my-mother-s-belly-was-my-first-act-of-disappearance/) [Rupi Kaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupi-kaur/) > [I literally do not pick up my phone until I have done my full routine for myself, because if I start catering and emptying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doechii/i-literally-do-not-pick-up-my-phone-until-i-have-done-my-full-routine/) [Doechii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doechii/) > [“As we trust the Lord, we start “emptying” ourselves with things that tie us or entangle us in order to be filled by God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yilda-rivera/as-we-trust-the-lord-we-start-emptying-ourselves-with-things-that-tie/) [Yilda Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yilda-rivera/) > [“The soft-spoken words fell off the side of the bed, emptying to the floor like powder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/the-soft-spoken-words-fell-off-the-side-of-the-bed-emptying-to-the/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [She was not one for emptying her face of expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-was-not-one-for-emptying-her-face-of-expression/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Emptying yourself of your best work isn’t just about checking off tasks on your to-do list; it’s about making steady, critical progress each day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-henry/emptying-yourself-of-your-best-work-isn-t-just-about-checking-off/) [Todd Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-henry/) > [“Only by emptying ourselves out before God will we find fullness within ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-deturris-poust/only-by-emptying-ourselves-out-before-god-will-we-find-fullness/) [Mary DeTurris Poust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-deturris-poust/) > [“The call to self-emptying will always be unpopular to those whose pockets and closets are full. What”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-j-vanhoozer/the-call-to-self-emptying-will-always-be-unpopular-to-those-whose/) [Kevin J. Vanhoozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-j-vanhoozer/) ## 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 Belly quotes > [I'm bigger than you! I'm higher on the food chain - get in my belly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/i-m-bigger-than-you-i-m-higher-on-the-food-chain-get-in-my-belly/) [Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/) > [I was the first to win a major with a belly putter, and I've spent hours practicing that way, so I hope they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-bradley/i-was-the-first-to-win-a-major-with-a-belly-putter-and-i-ve-spent/) [Keegan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-bradley/) > [That devilish Iron Horse, whose ear-rending neigh is heard throughout the town, has muddied the Boiling Spring with his foot, and he it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/that-devilish-iron-horse-whose-ear-rending-neigh-is-heard-throughout/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I liked the taste of beer, its live, white lather, its brass-bright depths, the sudden world through the wet-brown walls of the glass, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-thomas/i-liked-the-taste-of-beer-its-live-white-lather-its-brass-bright/) [Dylan Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-thomas/) > [“Somewhere squidgy. Your belly, maybe?” “I can’t believe you called my belly ‘squidgy.’ It’s not squidgy, it’s pillowy. And sexy!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-peeler/somewhere-squidgy-your-belly-maybe-i-can-t-believe-you-called-my/) [Nicole Peeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-peeler/) > [“That man’s so low he has to reach up to rub the belly of a snake.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-carson/that-man-s-so-low-he-has-to-reach-up-to-rub-the-belly-of-a-snake/) [Rae Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-carson/) > [We sat there, not talking, for a few minutes. He ate the Moon Pie; only skinny people can scarf down junk food like that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/we-sat-there-not-talking-for-a-few-minutes-he-ate-the-moon-pie-only/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [I get so nervous, I get belly pains before I go on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-get-so-nervous-i-get-belly-pains-before-i-go-on-stage/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [I can reason down or deny everything, except this perpetual Belly: feed he must and will, and I cannot make him respectable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-can-reason-down-or-deny-everything-except-this-perpetual-belly-feed/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I've learned ballet for seven years and Kathak and belly dancing for some time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nidhhi-agerwal/i-ve-learned-ballet-for-seven-years-and-kathak-and-belly-dancing-for/) [Nidhhi Agerwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nidhhi-agerwal/) > [It's very important to not repeat yourself. After 'Delhi Belly,' I was offered 40 'Delhi Belly's and you can't do that! So 'Revolver Rani'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vir-das/it-s-very-important-to-not-repeat-yourself-after-delhi-belly-i-was/) [Vir Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vir-das/) > [I asked these Indians: "Do men ever make Chicha?" My question was met with gales of laughter. The women howled. Bent over in hilarity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-d-eames/i-asked-these-indians-do-men-ever-make-chicha-my-question-was-met/) [Alan D. Eames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-d-eames/) > [Wit, like the Belly, if it be not fed, Will starve the Members, and distract the Head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-defoe/wit-like-the-belly-if-it-be-not-fed-will-starve-the-members-and/) [Daniel Defoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-defoe/) > [After three years down here, I've not learned too much. 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Walking between the magnificent skyscrapers one feels the presence on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/the-city-of-new-york-is-like-an-enormous-citadel-a-modern-carcassonne/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) Browse all 662 Belly quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and-filling-bellies/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Belly" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and-filling-bellies/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/laozi-147_belly_the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and_2346645.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/laozi-147_belly_the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and_2346645.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/laozi-147_belly_the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and_2346645.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.” — 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 sage governs by emptying senses...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and-filling-bellies/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-sage-governs-by-emptying-senses-and-filling-bellies/#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 } } ] } ```