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All 16 learnings · one per slide
Tao Te
Ching
Laozi, in bytes
16 key learnings from the ancient Chinese classic on the Way and living in harmony.
16 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
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Tao Te Ching, in bytes
16 key learnings from The Tao Te Ching, traditionally attributed to Laozi, on simplicity, humility and effortless action. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
Tao Te
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Learning 1 · Ch. 1
The Tao Can't Be Named
The teaching
The Way that can be fully described is not the true Way.
In practice
Accepting that some experiences, like love or awe, can't be fully explained.
Takeaway
Some truths go beyond words.
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Learning 2 · Ch. 2
Opposites Arise Together
The teaching
Beauty and ugliness, difficult and easy, define each other.
In practice
Seeing that success has meaning only because failure is possible.
Takeaway
Everything has its opposite.
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Learning 3
Wu Wei
The teaching
Effortless action: act in harmony with things, without forcing.
In practice
A skilled cook or athlete moving without strain because they've stopped forcing.
Takeaway
Less force, more flow.
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Learning 4 · Ch. 8
Like Water
The teaching
Water is soft and yielding, yet overcomes the hard.
In practice
Yielding in an argument can achieve more than pushing harder.
Takeaway
Gentleness has strength.
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Learning 5 · Ch. 11
The Usefulness of Emptiness
The teaching
A bowl's usefulness lies in its emptiness; a room's in its space.
In practice
Leaving empty time in your calendar so there's room to think.
Takeaway
What isn't there matters.
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Learning 6
Simplicity
The teaching
Reduce desires and return to simplicity.
Why
Laozi suggests that wanting less brings more peace.
Try this
Remove one unnecessary want.
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Learning 7 · Ch. 17
Humble Leadership
The teaching
The best leaders are barely noticed; when work is done, people say 'we did it ourselves'.
In practice
A manager who gives the team credit for a success.
Takeaway
Lead without seeking credit.
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Learning 8 · Ch. 60
Govern Lightly
The teaching
Ruling a large country is like cooking a small fish: don't over-stir.
In practice
Not micromanaging a team that knows what it's doing.
Takeaway
Less meddling, better results.
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Learning 9
Knowing When to Stop
The teaching
Contentment and knowing when enough is enough bring safety.
In practice
Stopping when ahead rather than pushing for more.
Takeaway
Enough is plenty.
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Learning 10 · Ch. 22
Do Not Contend
The teaching
The sage doesn't compete, so no one can compete with them.
In practice
Focusing on your own work rather than beating others.
Takeaway
Non-competition is strength.
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Learning 11 · Ch. 33
Knowing Yourself
The teaching
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
The line
Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Reflect
What do you know about yourself?
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Learning 12 · Ch. 64
The Journey Begins Here
The teaching
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
In practice
Writing one paragraph today instead of planning a whole book.
Takeaway
Start small.
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Learning 13 · Ch. 63
Act Before Problems Grow
The teaching
Deal with things before they arise; handle the difficult while it's easy.
In practice
Fixing a small misunderstanding before it becomes a feud.
Takeaway
Prevention beats cure.
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Learning 14 · Ch. 78
Soft Overcomes Hard
The teaching
The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong, as water wears away stone.
In practice
Young trees bend in the wind; dry branches snap.
Takeaway
Flexibility endures.
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Learning 15 · Ch. 67
Three Treasures
The teaching
Compassion, frugality and humility.
Why
Compassion brings courage, frugality brings generosity, humility brings leadership.
Takeaway
Simple virtues guide life.
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Learning 16 · Ch. 81
True Words
The teaching
True words aren't always beautiful; beautiful words aren't always true.
In practice
Trusting plain, honest feedback over flattery.
Takeaway
Look past eloquence.
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All 16 learnings complete
That’s all 16 learnings.
Water is soft yet wears away stone. Where could gentleness work better than force?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
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Summaries are written in my own words for learning, based on the general themes of this ancient text, which is in the public domain. Translations vary widely. More Books in Bytes