--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lao-tzu’s Tao Te Ching (I recommend the…" description: "\"“Lao-tzu’s Tao Te Ching (I recommend the Red Pine translation), and started swimming from there. Excellent”\" — Michael Finkel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c95/michael-finkel-7714_heaven-and-earth_lao-tzu-s-tao-te-ching-i-recommend-the-r_3043382.jpg" --- # Lao-tzu’s Tao Te Ching (I recommend the Red Pine… ![“Lao-tzu’s Tao Te Ching (I recommend the Red Pine translation), and started swimming from there. Excellent” quote by Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c95/michael-finkel-7714_heaven-and-earth_lao-tzu-s-tao-te-ching-i-recommend-the-r_3043382.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c95/michael-finkel-7714_heaven-and-earth_lao-tzu-s-tao-te-ching-i-recommend-the-r_3043382.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c95/michael-finkel-7714_heaven-and-earth_lao-tzu-s-tao-te-ching-i-recommend-the-r_3043382.jpg) > ““Lao-tzu’s Tao Te Ching (I recommend the Red Pine translation), and started swimming from there. Excellent”” [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker recommends a specific translation of Tao Te Ching and uses it as a starting point for personal growth. **In simple terms:** A translation of Tao Te Ching inspired personal development. Key Takeaway Use meaningful texts as catalysts for change. Themes inspiration personal growth literature translation Mood contemplative motivational introspective Type quote recommendation When to use this quote - daily reading - meditation - journaling - study groups Key Concepts philosophy mindfulness self improvement Questions to Reflect On - Which text has sparked your growth? - How do you apply ancient wisdom today? A Different Perspective Interpretation varies; personal relevance may differ. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) ## Related quotes > [I wanted to know if the 'Iliad' in the original was as relevant and contemporary as it was in translation. 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You know, right after I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-shanteau/getting-to-the-olympics-was-has-always-been-my-swimming-dream-since-i/) [Eric Shanteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-shanteau/) > [“Jenna had started swimming in the deep end of the pity pool.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawkins/jenna-had-started-swimming-in-the-deep-end-of-the-pity-pool/) [Rachel Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawkins/) > [I was 8 when I started swimming training, but it wasn't until I was 10 when it became more serious so over the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/i-was-8-when-i-started-swimming-training-but-it-wasn-t-until-i-was-10/) [Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/) > [I walked away from the sport for 17 years, then started swimming again recently in a master's program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-spitz/i-walked-away-from-the-sport-for-17-years-then-started-swimming-again/) [Mark Spitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-spitz/) > [I started swimming. I frolic like Free Willy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-pinette/i-started-swimming-i-frolic-like-free-willy/) [John Pinette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-pinette/) > [I got bored and then joined the British SAS. 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My mind-set was \[to tell myself that\] every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evans/when-i-started-swimming-again-two-years-ago-it-felt-like-i-was/) Janet Evans > [“Since Jenna had started swimming in the deep end of the pity pool, Archer was pretty much the only friend I had.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawkins/since-jenna-had-started-swimming-in-the-deep-end-of-the-pity-pool/) [Rachel Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawkins/) > [The only reason I started swimming was for water safety. Then, once I started falling in love with sports, I got more comfortable with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/the-only-reason-i-started-swimming-was-for-water-safety-then-once-i/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I started swimming when I was four because my brother wanted to join a swim team, and I wanted to do what he did.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-sanders/i-started-swimming-when-i-was-four-because-my-brother-wanted-to-join/) [Summer Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-sanders/) ## More by Michael Finkel > [I never do formal interviews. I don't use a tape recorder. I take notes but occasionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/i-never-do-formal-interviews-i-don-t-use-a-tape-recorder-i-take-notes/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“He has seen the bottomless nonsense of our world and has decided, like most of us, to simply try to tolerate it. He appears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/he-has-seen-the-bottomless-nonsense-of-our-world-and-has-decided-like/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [America might be the land of second chances, but it ain't the land of third chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/america-might-be-the-land-of-second-chances-but-it-ain-t-the-land-of/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“the true solitary does not seek himself, but loses himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/the-true-solitary-does-not-seek-himself-but-loses-himself/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“The American essayist William Deresiewicz wrote that “no real excellence, personal or social, artistic, philosophical, scientific, or moral, can arise without solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/the-american-essayist-william-deresiewicz-wrote-that-no-real/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“If you like solitude, you're never alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/if-you-like-solitude-you-re-never-alone/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“The first great literary work about solitude, the Tao Te Ching, was written in ancient China, likely in the sixth century B.C., by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/the-first-great-literary-work-about-solitude-the-tao-te-ching-was/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [There have always been hermits: people who want to get away from other humans. Literally, some of the first extant books and poems found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/there-have-always-been-hermits-people-who-want-to-get-away-from-other/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, by William Shirer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-third-reich-by-william-shirer/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [I think many people have this sense that something about modern society - the screens, the noise, the traffic, the constant busyness - has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/i-think-many-people-have-this-sense-that-something-about-modern/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [I'd lied many times: to bolster my credentials, to elicit sympathy, to make myself appear less ordinary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/i-d-lied-many-times-to-bolster-my-credentials-to-elicit-sympathy-to/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“He never bothered listening to sports; the bored him, every one of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/he-never-bothered-listening-to-sports-the-bored-him-every-one-of-them/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [Extraordinary things happen in solitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/extraordinary-things-happen-in-solitude/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“Japanese researchers at Chiba University found that a daily fifteen-minute walk in the woods caused significant decreases in cortisol, along with a modest drop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/japanese-researchers-at-chiba-university-found-that-a-daily-fifteen-2/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [My fight-or-flight mechanism... had served me well in Gaza, in Afghanistan, and all the places I'd been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/my-fight-or-flight-mechanism-had-served-me-well-in-gaza-in/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) [Explore all 87 Michael Finkel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) ## More Heaven and earth quotes > [Natural history is not taught in seminary. This is curious, as most people in pastoral ministry are about 567 times more likely to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-maitland/natural-history-is-not-taught-in-seminary-this-is-curious-as-most/) [Sara Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-maitland/) > [When black women are down with you and in your corner, you have an ally that will move Heaven and Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-perry/when-black-women-are-down-with-you-and-in-your-corner-you-have-an/) [Tyler Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-perry/) > [“Make peace with yourself, and both heaven and earth will make peace with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-isaac-the-syrian/make-peace-with-yourself-and-both-heaven-and-earth-will-make-peace/) St. Isaac the Syrian > [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/) > [“I’ll move heaven and earth to make you happy, Evie. I want you there when I wake up every morning and there when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-raye-harris/i-ll-move-heaven-and-earth-to-make-you-happy-evie-i-want-you-there/) [Lynn Raye Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-raye-harris/) > [Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear. Make a hairbreadth difference and heaven and earth are set apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/do-not-like-do-not-dislike-all-will-then-be-clear-make-a-hairbreadth/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [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/) > [“Therefore the Tao is great;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-tao-is-great/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-what-is-called-the-mysterious-quality-of-the-tao/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [They say that God lives very high! But if you look above the pines You cannot see our God. And why? And if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/they-say-that-god-lives-very-high-but-if-you-look-above-the-pines-you/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [Affection as a essential principle of relatedness is of the greatest importance of relationships in the world. For the union of heaven and earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/affection-as-a-essential-principle-of-relatedness-is-of-the-greatest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As regards the quietude of the sage, he is not quiet because quietness is said to be good. He is quiet because the multitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/as-regards-the-quietude-of-the-sage-he-is-not-quiet-because-quietness/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Ah, there are so many things betwixt heaven and earth of which only the poets have dreamed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/ah-there-are-so-many-things-betwixt-heaven-and-earth-of-which-only/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“We come to conquer this land by his command, that all may come to a knowledge of God and of His Holy Catholic Faith;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-diamond/we-come-to-conquer-this-land-by-his-command-that-all-may-come-to-a/) [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) > [Heaven and earth, advantages and obstacles, conspire to educate genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fuseli/heaven-and-earth-advantages-and-obstacles-conspire-to-educate-genius/) [Henry Fuseli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fuseli/) [Browse all 635 Heaven and earth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Lao-tzu’s Tao Te Ching (I recommend the Red Pine translation), and started swimming from there. 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