Dao-de-jing Quote by Mahmud Shabistari
““Know the world from end to end is a mirror; in each atom a hundred suns are concealed. If you pierce the heart of a single drop of water, from it will flow a hundred clear oceans; if you look intently at each speck of dust, in it you will see a thousand beings. A gnat in its limbs is like an elephant; in name a drop of water resembles the Nile. In the heart of a barleycorn is stored a hundred harvests. Within a millet-seed a world exists. In an insects wing is an ocean of life. A heaven is concealed in the pupil of an eye. The core at the center of the heart is small, yet the Lord of both worlds will enter there.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Masnavi of Mahmud Shabistari, 12th century
Every tiny element contains vast universes, reflecting the divine in all things.
In simple terms: Small things hold great hidden worlds.
Key Takeaway
Notice the divine in details.
Themes
spirituality
nature
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
reverent
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meditation
- nature study
- spiritual practice
- creative writing
Key Concepts
microcosm
interconnectedness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you find balance?
- What small detail reveals depth?
A Different Perspective
Seeing the divine everywhere can be overwhelming.
