[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f9MEWmIM1gC-ppT7E16ZfF1kuOQ01-DtlAJqUSL1yRbc":3,"$f6rMQ3rhPg_uq8iCsMUQHqH8VpCHTiZ8feORwjqG7Gg4":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},7630,"Laozi","L",565,null,"laozi",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":77},[14,22,28,35,41,47,53,59,65,71],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},4023116,"Water does not force its way.",8,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":23,"quote_text":24,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":25,"source":26,"quote_tag":27,"commentary":9},4023114,"A good door needs no lock, still it can't be opened.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":29,"quote_text":30,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":31,"source":32,"quote_tag":33,"commentary":34},4023112,"When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\n\nThis enigmatic quote, \"When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises,\" is often attributed to Laozi, the ancient Chinese sage who founded Taoism. The exact origin of this quote is unclear, but it reflects the philosophical era in which Laozi lived (6th century BCE), marked by a growing interest in the nature of reality, truth, and the human condition. As a historian of Laozi's biography, I note that during his time, Chinese society was witnessing the rise of Confucianism, a philosophy emphasizing moral values and social hierarchy.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nOn the surface, this quote appears to lament the misuse of knowledge by pretentious individuals. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper insight into human nature: Laozi is not simply critiquing arrogance but rather pointing out the inherent risk of seeking wisdom. When we pursue knowledge and understanding, we may inadvertently create an illusion of superiority, which can lead to a disconnection from genuine learning and growth.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, recognize that true wisdom lies in embracing humility alongside your pursuit of knowledge. By acknowledging the potential for self-deception and pretension, you can cultivate a more nuanced understanding of yourself and your place within the world, allowing for more authentic personal growth and development.",{"id":36,"quote_text":37,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":38,"source":39,"quote_tag":40,"commentary":9},4023110,"Knowledge of the eternal is all-embracing. To be all-embracing leads to righteousness, which is majestic.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":42,"quote_text":43,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":44,"source":45,"quote_tag":46,"commentary":9},4023109,"Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":48,"quote_text":49,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":50,"source":51,"quote_tag":52,"commentary":9},4023106,"The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":54,"quote_text":55,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":56,"source":57,"quote_tag":58,"commentary":9},4023105,"The more you know the less you understand.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":60,"quote_text":61,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":62,"source":63,"quote_tag":64,"commentary":9},4023104,"Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":66,"quote_text":67,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":68,"source":69,"quote_tag":70,"commentary":9},4023101,"The sage does not act and therefore does not fail, does not seize and therefore does not lose.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":72,"quote_text":73,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":74,"source":75,"quote_tag":76,"commentary":9},4023100,"The noble must make humility his root.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":78,"totalPages":79,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":80},1,57,10]