--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you accurately perceive the fluidity…" description: "\"When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind them: the creative, transformative, boundless,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/laozi-147_behinds_when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidit_743848.jpg" --- # When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you… ![“When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind them: the creative, transformative, boundless, immutable Tao.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/laozi-147_behinds_when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidit_743848.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/laozi-147_behinds_when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidit_743848.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/laozi-147_behinds_when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidit_743848.jpg) > “When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind them: the creative, transformative, boundless, immutable Tao.” [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. Seeing the fluid nature of reality reveals an underlying constant, the Tao, which is creative, transformative, limitless, and unchanging. **In simple terms:** Understanding change reveals an unchanging, creative principle. Key Takeaway Observe change to discover the constant Tao within. Themes change constancy philosophy spirituality creativity Mood calm inspired Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily life - creative work - stress management - spiritual practice Key Concepts Taoism metaphysics mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you notice constancy amid change? - What practices help you connect with the Tao? A Different Perspective The Tao may be abstract and hard to grasp without practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boundless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boundless/) [Constancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constancy/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [Knowing constancy, the mind is open. With an open mind, you will be openhearted. Being openhearted you will act royally. Being royal, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/knowing-constancy-the-mind-is-open-with-an-open-mind-you-will-be/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature. The way of nature is unchanging. Knowing constancy is insight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/returning-to-the-source-is-stillness-which-is-the-way-of-nature-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Being a model to the world, eternal virtue will never falter in you, and you return to the boundless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/being-a-model-to-the-world-eternal-virtue-will-never-falter-in-you/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The fluidity of thought is based on the flexibility of beliefs and the emotional boundaries surrounding them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/the-fluidity-of-thought-is-based-on-the-flexibility-of-beliefs-and/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [Could it be that toxic mimics are toxic because they ignore responsibility, they ignore relationship, they ignore presence, they substitute control for fluidity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-churchill/could-it-be-that-toxic-mimics-are-toxic-because-they-ignore/) [Ward Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-churchill/) > [It must be obvious...that there is a contradiction in wanting to be perfectly secure in a universe whose very nature is momentariness and fluidity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/it-must-be-obvious-that-there-is-a-contradiction-in-wanting-to-be/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [Ko Un's poems evoke the open creativity and fluidity of nature, and funny turns and twists of Mind. Mind is sometimes registered in Buddhist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-snyder/ko-un-s-poems-evoke-the-open-creativity-and-fluidity-of-nature-and/) [Gary Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-snyder/) > [“Whatever you become in life, always return to the shape of water.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whatever-you-become-in-life-always-return-to-the-shape-of-water/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What you have as a result of past policies is that German entrepreneurs go outside of Germany for many of their activities. They are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/what-you-have-as-a-result-of-past-policies-is-that-german/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [...the only continuity possible in life, as in love, is in growth, in fluidity - in freedom. The only real security is... living in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/the-only-continuity-possible-in-life-as-in-love-is-in-growth-in/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [Fluidity means that our black identities are constantly changing as we respond to circumstances in our families and communities of origin, and as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/fluidity-means-that-our-black-identities-are-constantly-changing-as/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [It's my experience that the fluidity of sexuality with younger people is more accepted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-schwartz/it-s-my-experience-that-the-fluidity-of-sexuality-with-younger-people/) [Josh Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-schwartz/) > [I think how strict my mother's home could be with my mom and my stepfather, there was a fluidity and freedom in my dad's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-think-how-strict-my-mother-s-home-could-be-with-my-mom-and-my/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [“Literature is the haven of fluidity, of slippage from one character to another, of movement. Women tend to read far more novels than men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-phillips/literature-is-the-haven-of-fluidity-of-slippage-from-one-character-to/) Anita Phillips > [It's interesting. I've known quite a few good athletes that can't begin to play a beat on the drum set. Most team sport is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/it-s-interesting-i-ve-known-quite-a-few-good-athletes-that-can-t/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) ## 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 Behinds quotes > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. 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If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Behind every word flows energy. If you use your words to gossip or babble about what you are going to do before you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-choquette/behind-every-word-flows-energy-if-you-use-your-words-to-gossip-or/) [Sonia Choquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-choquette/) > [With the realization of God comes all power. If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/) [Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind them: the creative, transformative, boundless, immutable Tao.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidity-of-things-you-can-also/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behinds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidity-of-things-you-can-also/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/laozi-147_behinds_when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidit_743848.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/laozi-147_behinds_when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidit_743848.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/laozi-147_behinds_when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidit_743848.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind…” — 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": "When you accurately perceive the fluidity...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidity-of-things-you-can-also/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-accurately-perceive-the-fluidity-of-things-you-can-also/#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 } } ] } ```