Ideas of Laozi (Lao Tzu), by Theme
[Chinese, c.580 - 520 BCE, Founder of Taoism. Possibly mythical.]
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1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 2. Wise People
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6319
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Wise people choose inaction and silence
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6325
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One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know
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1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 7. Despair over Philosophy
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6321
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Vulgar people are alert; I alone am muddled
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11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 1. Knowledge
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6328
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To know yet to think that one does not know is best
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6323
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Pursuit of learning increases activity; the Way decreases it
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19. Language / F. Communication / 1. Rhetoric
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6331
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Truth is not beautiful; beautiful speech is not truthful
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22. Metaethics / A. Value / 2. Values / d. Death
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6330
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One with no use for life is wiser than one who values it
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22. Metaethics / A. Value / 2. Values / f. Love
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6327
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Do good to him who has done you an injury
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23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / a. Nature of virtue
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23402
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The highest virtue is achieved without effort
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23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue
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6324
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To gain in goodness, treat as good those who are good, and those who are not
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23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / g. Desires
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6322
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There is no crime greater than having too many desires
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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / a. Autocracy
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6320
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The best rulers are invisible, the next admired, the next feared, and the worst are exploited
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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / a. Government
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6329
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People are hard to govern because authorities love to do things
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25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / a. Legal system
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6326
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The better known the law, the more criminals there are
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25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / e. Peace
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23401
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A military victory is not a thing of beauty
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