more on this theme     |     more from this thinker

Single Idea 6323

[filed under theme 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 1. Knowledge ]

Full Idea

In the pursuit of learning one knows more every day; in the pursuit of the Way one does less every day.

Gist of Idea

Pursuit of learning increases activity; the Way decreases it

Source

Laozi (Lao Tzu) (Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) [c.530 BCE], II.XLVII.108)

Book Ref

Lao Tzu: 'Tao Te Ching', ed/tr. Lau,D.C. [Penguin 1963], p.109

A Reaction

Everything in my culture has raised the status of the pursuit of learning, so that I can hardly comprehend what is proposed by the Way. I don't believe that the Way can be achieved without great learning, but one might move beyond learning.

The 15 ideas from 'Daodejing (Tao Te Ching)'

23401 A military victory is not a thing of beauty [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
23402 The highest virtue is achieved without effort [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6319 Wise people choose inaction and silence [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6320 The best rulers are invisible, the next admired, the next feared, and the worst are exploited [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6321 Vulgar people are alert; I alone am muddled [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6325 One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6326 The better known the law, the more criminals there are [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6327 Do good to him who has done you an injury [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6328 To know yet to think that one does not know is best [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6329 People are hard to govern because authorities love to do things [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6330 One with no use for life is wiser than one who values it [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6331 Truth is not beautiful; beautiful speech is not truthful [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6324 To gain in goodness, treat as good those who are good, and those who are not [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6322 There is no crime greater than having too many desires [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6323 Pursuit of learning increases activity; the Way decreases it [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]