--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a big misunderstanding about the…" description: "\"There is a big misunderstanding about the idea of naturalness. Most people who come to us believing in some freedom or naturalness, but their understan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/164/laozi-147_believe_there-is-a-big-misunderstanding-about-th_2809453.jpg" --- # There is a big misunderstanding about the idea of… ![“There is a big misunderstanding about the idea of naturalness. Most people who come to us believing in some freedom or naturalness, but their understanding is what we call [heretical naturalness] ... a kind of "let-alone policy" or sloppiness... For a plant or stone to be natural is no problem…” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/164/laozi-147_believe_there-is-a-big-misunderstanding-about-th_2809453.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/164/laozi-147_believe_there-is-a-big-misunderstanding-about-th_2809453.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/164/laozi-147_believe_there-is-a-big-misunderstanding-about-th_2809453.jpg) > “There is a big misunderstanding about the idea of naturalness. Most people who come to us believing in some freedom or naturalness, but their understanding is what we call \[heretical naturalness\] ... a kind of "let-alone policy" or sloppiness... For a plant or stone to be natural is no problem. But for us there is some problem, indeed a big problem. To be natural is something we must work on.” [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. Naturalness is not passive; it requires effort and conscious cultivation. **In simple terms:** Being natural demands work. Key Takeaway Cultivate intentional simplicity. Themes philosophy effort naturalness Mood contemplative calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - environmental stewardship - mindful living - discipline Key Concepts spiritual practice personal development Questions to Reflect On - What does “natural” mean to you? - How can you balance effort with ease? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on effort can cause rigidity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Naturalness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/naturalness/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Sloppiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sloppiness/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [Guys are natural problem solvers - they like to have strategies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/guys-are-natural-problem-solvers-they-like-to-have-strategies/) [Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/) > [“There is nothing wrong with my father: he is the natural. The problem is those like myself, who hoped we might rise from our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-meyer/there-is-nothing-wrong-with-my-father-he-is-the-natural-the-problem/) [Philipp Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-meyer/) > [I was the sensitive, shy kid that was teased a lot. I was very definitely bullied. I mean, from an early age, I dressed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-was-the-sensitive-shy-kid-that-was-teased-a-lot-i-was-very/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [If you're too sloppy, then you never get reproducible results, then you never get reproducible results, and then you never can draw any conclusions;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-delbruck/if-you-re-too-sloppy-then-you-never-get-reproducible-results-then-you/) [Max Delbruck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-delbruck/) > [I would make myself head of the style police and we would fight fiercely against sloppiness,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/i-would-make-myself-head-of-the-style-police-and-we-would-fight/) [Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/) > [Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don't know and I don't care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/is-sloppiness-in-speech-caused-by-ignorance-or-apathy-i-don-t-know/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [It's responsible for the sloppiness and imprecision of the War on Terror, for example. It's responsible for taking people's tax dollars and spending the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-hallinan/it-s-responsible-for-the-sloppiness-and-imprecision-of-the-war-on/) [Timothy Hallinan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-hallinan/) > [Youth is no excuse for sloppiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-gardner/youth-is-no-excuse-for-sloppiness/) [Lisa Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-gardner/) > [Speed is the cushion of sloppiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-driscoll/speed-is-the-cushion-of-sloppiness/) William P. Driscoll > [They've destroyed their environment, by and large. They've eliminated most other species on the planet, which is just an indication of their sloppiness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/they-ve-destroyed-their-environment-by-and-large-they-ve-eliminated/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“good luck’ follows careful preparation; ‘bad luck’ comes from sloppiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/good-luck-follows-careful-preparation-bad-luck-comes-from-sloppiness/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [I suppose what I like about Zen is that the teachers are constantly questioning your insight and challenging it, looking for sloppiness or laziness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-russell/i-suppose-what-i-like-about-zen-is-that-the-teachers-are-constantly/) [David O. Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-russell/) > [The key, I would say to any fledgling humorist starting out, is to make sure that sloppiness is part of your recipe. That way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/the-key-i-would-say-to-any-fledgling-humorist-starting-out-is-to-make/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [To be honest, I've never looked really hard for musicians. I'll just randomly meet people. I've never interviewed bandmates or anything like that. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-timony/to-be-honest-i-ve-never-looked-really-hard-for-musicians-i-ll-just/) [Mary Timony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-timony/) > [From where I sit, I see the digital cinema creating sloppiness on the part of filmmakers because they know if they really get in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-zemeckis/from-where-i-sit-i-see-the-digital-cinema-creating-sloppiness-on-the/) [Robert Zemeckis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-zemeckis/) ## 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 Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is a big misunderstanding about the idea of naturalness. Most people who come to us believing in some freedom or naturalness, but their understanding is what we call [heretical naturalness] ... a kind of \"let-alone policy\" or sloppiness... For a plant or stone to be natural is no problem. But for us there is some problem, indeed a big problem. 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