--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: These possessions of a simpleton being…" description: "\"These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/laozi-147_be-humble_these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-t_1198593.jpg" --- # These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose… ![“These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/laozi-147_be-humble_these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-t_1198593.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/laozi-147_be-humble_these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-t_1198593.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/laozi-147_be-humble_these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-t_1198593.jpg) > “These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble.” [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. Lists three simple virtues—care, fairness, humility—as essential possessions of a wise person. **In simple terms:** Care, fairness, humility are key virtues. Key Takeaway Practice these virtues consistently. Themes virtues wisdom humility Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - family - community - leadership Key Concepts ethical living personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How can fairness be upheld in competition? - In what ways does humility foster learning? A Different Perspective Virtues can be hard to maintain under pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Possessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessions/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Simpletons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simpletons/) ## Related quotes > [Be humble and you will remain entire. The sages do not display themselves, therefore they shine. They do not approve themselves, therefore they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/be-humble-and-you-will-remain-entire-the-sages-do-not-display/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [True humility involves opposites. The truly humble work in silence. Because they do not speak of their accomplishments, credit for them can never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/true-humility-involves-opposites-the-truly-humble-work-in-silence/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“Simpletons! Yes, yes! I'm a simpleton! Are you a simpleton? We'll build a town and we'll name it Simple Town, because by then all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-m-miller-jr/simpletons-yes-yes-i-m-a-simpleton-are-you-a-simpleton-we-ll-build-a/) [Walter M. Miller Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-m-miller-jr/) > [Perhaps the most embarrassing experience is being caught at a lie by a simpleton who sneers at our asinine cleverness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/perhaps-the-most-embarrassing-experience-is-being-caught-at-a-lie-by/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/do-not-fear-the-enemy-for-your-enemy-can-only-take-your-life-it-is/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [There are a great many simpletons who know themselves to be so, and who make a very cunning use of their own simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/there-are-a-great-many-simpletons-who-know-themselves-to-be-so-and/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [The most perceptive character in a play is the fool, because the man who wishes to seem simple cannot possibly be a simpleton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-perceptive-character-in-a-play-is-the-fool-because-the-man/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [How wrong are those simpletons, of whom the world is full, who look more at... color than at the figures which show spirit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelangelo/how-wrong-are-those-simpletons-of-whom-the-world-is-full-who-look/) [Michelangelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelangelo/) > [I am a simpleton at heart. In my personal life, I don't wear makeup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bipasha-basu/i-am-a-simpleton-at-heart-in-my-personal-life-i-don-t-wear-makeup/) [Bipasha Basu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bipasha-basu/) > [For it is a mad world and it will get madder if we allow the minorities, be they dwarf or giant, orangutan or dolphin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/for-it-is-a-mad-world-and-it-will-get-madder-if-we-allow-the/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [We discovered that in connection with these figures the German national simpletons and money-grubbers of the Frankfurt parliamentary swamp always counted as Germans the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-engels/we-discovered-that-in-connection-with-these-figures-the-german/) [Friedrich Engels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-engels/) > [It's really a trade-off: you're always having to decide whether you're going to say the more ambitious thing, and lose a little clarity -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elif-batuman/it-s-really-a-trade-off-you-re-always-having-to-decide-whether-you-re/) [Elif Batuman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elif-batuman/) > [You've a right to believe that we're governed by Nature and the hidden Force within her. You can think that the gods, including my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/you-ve-a-right-to-believe-that-we-re-governed-by-nature-and-the/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [The reasoning man who scorns the prejudices of simpletons necessarily becomes the enemy of simpletons; he must expect as much, and laugh at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-sade/the-reasoning-man-who-scorns-the-prejudices-of-simpletons-necessarily/) [Marquis de Sade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-sade/) > [Well I don't know how many pounds make up a ton, Of all the nobel prizes that I've never won, And I may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-partridge/well-i-don-t-know-how-many-pounds-make-up-a-ton-of-all-the-nobel/) [Andy Partridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-partridge/) ## 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 Be humble quotes > [To seek yourself in this world is to be lost; and to be humble is to be exalted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/to-seek-yourself-in-this-world-is-to-be-lost-and-to-be-humble-is-to/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [Well I think they broke the mould when they made me and being humble is one of my great assets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-hagman/well-i-think-they-broke-the-mould-when-they-made-me-and-being-humble/) [Larry Hagman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-hagman/) > [Remember this-all the sighing, mourning, sobbing, and complaining in the world, does not so undeniably evidence a man to be humble, as his overlooking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/remember-this-all-the-sighing-mourning-sobbing-and-complaining-in-the/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [ Be humble and say okay, all right, I have to prep myself. So everybody prepped, and we finished the film \[Valerian \] four days… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-besson/be-humble-and-say-okay-all-right-i-have-to-prep-myself-so-everybody/) [Luc Besson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-besson/) > [Catch {a man} at the moment when he is really poor in spirit and smuggle into his mind the gratifying reflection, "By jove, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/catch-a-man-at-the-moment-when-he-is-really-poor-in-spirit-and/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity. It does not mean fear. A man can be humble and fearless. A man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/humility-does-not-mean-weakness-it-does-not-mean-timidity-it-does-not/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Always enter like a kitten and leave like a lion. But NEVER enter like a lion and leave like a kitten. Always be humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlson-gracie/always-enter-like-a-kitten-and-leave-like-a-lion-but-never-enter-like/) [Carlson Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlson-gracie/) > [There is no substitute for hardwork. Always be humble and hungry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/there-is-no-substitute-for-hardwork-always-be-humble-and-hungry/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [You've got to be humble really to be yourself or to get a chance to be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-harrison/you-ve-got-to-be-humble-really-to-be-yourself-or-to-get-a-chance-to/) [George Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-harrison/) > [Learning something means coming into contact with a world of which you know nothing. In order to learn, you must be humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/learning-something-means-coming-into-contact-with-a-world-of-which/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Create your own job. Become the master of what you do. Fully imerse yourself in your culter. Be humble. You are never above having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-amoruso/create-your-own-job-become-the-master-of-what-you-do-fully-imerse/) [Sophia Amoruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-amoruso/) > [It's very easy for us to be humble when no one else is around. There is no reason for us to demonstrate our superiority,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/it-s-very-easy-for-us-to-be-humble-when-no-one-else-is-around-there/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I'm totally normal. I think it's obnoxious when people demand limos or bodyguards. I eat at McDonald's or Taco Bell. My parents always taught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paris-hilton/i-m-totally-normal-i-think-it-s-obnoxious-when-people-demand-limos-or/) [Paris Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paris-hilton/) > [You have to know when to be arrogant. You have to when to be humble. You have to know when to be hard and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/you-have-to-know-when-to-be-arrogant-you-have-to-when-to-be-humble/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [I know that a Christian should be humble, but against the Pope I am going to be proud and say to him: "You, Pope,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/i-know-that-a-christian-should-be-humble-but-against-the-pope-i-am/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) Browse all 243 Be humble quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-the-three-i-choose-and-cherish/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be humble" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-the-three-i-choose-and-cherish/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/laozi-147_be-humble_these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-t_1198593.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/laozi-147_be-humble_these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-t_1198593.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/laozi-147_be-humble_these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-t_1198593.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble.” — 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": "These possessions of a simpleton being...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-the-three-i-choose-and-cherish/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/these-possessions-of-a-simpleton-being-the-three-i-choose-and-cherish/#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 } } ] } ```