'Block the passages, shut the doors, And till the end your strength shall not fail. Open up the passages, increase your doings, And till your last day no help shall come to you.'
PhilosophyActionRestraintRiskSelf controlStrategyStrengthVulnerability
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Closing off opportunities weakens you, while opening up and acting leads to eventual lack of help.
- In plain terms
- Blocking paths makes you strong, but opening them makes you vulnerable.
- What can you take from it?
- Balance restraint with openness; too much of either can be harmful.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is it better to hold back?
- When should you open up to new possibilities?
Another view
The binary framing oversimplifies complex situations.
More from Lao Tzu
Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, take it and practice it earnestly. Scholars of the middle class, when they hear of it, take it hal…
Permalink to quote #13 He who knows does not speak; he who speaks does not know.
Permalink to quote #15 Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Permalink to quote #12
Related quotes
I couldn't do them if I didn't know horses lived behind them.
Charles KeepingCharles Keeping quote #1 You should avoid needless and entangling engagements. You may boast about them, you may brag about them, you may say you are procuring consideration of the cou…
William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone quote #19 Just drive down that road until you get blown up.
George S. PattonGeorge S. Patton quote #42