Topics · Mind & Meaning
Wisdom about truth & clear thinking.
What people have learned about truth & clear thinking the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
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From the library
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
The truth shall make you free.
To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.
The truth is rarely pure and never simple.
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.
This above all: to thine own self be true.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
The ancients who showed their skill in practising the Tao did so, not to enlighten the people, but rather to make them simple and ignorant.
The course of true love never did run smooth.
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
He who devotes himself to learning (seeks) from day to day to increase (his knowledge); he who devotes himself to the Tao (seeks) from day to day to diminish (his doing).
Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Therefore the sages got their knowledge without travelling; gave their (right) names to things without seeing them; and accomplished their ends without any purpose of doing so.
Full fathom five thy father lies; of his bones are coral made.
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
There are also three in every ten whose aim is to live, but whose movements tend to the land (or place) of death. And for what reason? Because of their excessive endeavours to perpetuate life.
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge. He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.
Doubt thou the stars are fire; doubt that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt I love.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Those three methods (of government) Thought olden ways in elegance did fail And made these names their want of worth to veil; But simple views, and courses plain and true Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew.
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
Therefore the sage knows (these things) of himself, but does not parade (his knowledge); loves, but does not (appear to set a) value on, himself. And thus he puts the latter alternative away and makes choice of the former.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Heaven is long-enduring and earth continues long. The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because they do not live of, or for, themselves. This is how they are able to continue and endure.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
He constantly (tries to) keep them without knowledge and without desire, and where there are those who have knowledge, to keep them from presuming to act (on it). When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
Why was it that the ancients prized this Tao so much? Was it not because it could be got by seeking for it, and the guilty could escape (from the stain of their guilt) by it? This is the reason why all under heaven consider it the most valuable thing.
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
To him by whom this harmony is known, (The secret of) the unchanging (Tao) is shown, And in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne. All life-increasing arts to evil turn; Where the mind makes the vital breath to burn, (False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed without any (purpose of) action? In the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven, cannot he do so as a female bird? While his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he (appear to) be without knowledge?
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
The skilful masters (of the Tao) in old times, with a subtle and exquisite penetration, comprehended its mysteries, and were deep (also) so as to elude men's knowledge. As they were thus beyond men's knowledge, I will make an effort to describe of what sort they appeared to be.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
Tao when nursed within one's self, His vigour will make true; And where the family it rules What riches will accrue! The neighbourhood where it prevails In thriving will abound; And when 'tis seen throughout the state, Good fortune will be found. Employ it the kingdom o'er, And men thrive all around.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
The report of that fulfilment is the regular, unchanging rule. To know that unchanging rule is to be intelligent; not to know it leads to wild movements and evil issues. The knowledge of that unchanging rule produces a (grand) capacity and forbearance, and that capacity and forbearance lead to a community (of feeling with all things). From this community of feeling comes a kingliness of…
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
The grandest forms of active force From Tao come, their only source. Who can of Tao the nature tell? Our sight it flies, our touch as well. Eluding sight, eluding touch, The forms of things all in it crouch; Eluding touch, eluding sight, There are their semblances, all right. Profound it is, dark and obscure; Things' essences all there endure. Those essences the truth enfold Of what, when seen,…
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Therefore the sentence-makers have thus expressed themselves:— 'The Tao, when brightest seen, seems light to lack; Who progress in it makes, seems drawing back; Its even way is like a rugged track. Its highest virtue from the vale doth rise; Its greatest beauty seems to offend the eyes; And he has most whose lot the least supplies. Its firmest virtue seems but poor and low; Its solid truth seems…