Tao Te Ching, Chapter 81

Lao Tzu

True words aren’t eloquent; eloquent words aren’t true. Wise men don’t need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren’t wise. The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is. The Tao nourishes by not forcing. By not dominating, the Master leads.

Lao Tzu's vision upends conventional wisdom about power and influence. Instead of asserting authority or accumulating wealth, the true leader finds strength in relinquishing control and serving others. This chapter of the Tao Te Ching was composed during a time when rigid hierarchies dominated ancient Chinese society. Yet Lao Tzu suggests that genuine influence arises not from coercion or ownership but from harmony with the natural order.

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