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About this quote

What does it mean?
Governing a large country is delicate; too much interference ruins it.
In plain terms
Heavy meddling harms large systems.
What can you take from it?
Exercise restraint in leadership.

Where it applies

  • politics
  • management

Putting it to work

  • delegate authority
  • avoid micromanagement

Questions to consider

  • When is intervention necessary?
  • How can leaders know the right amount?

Another view

Complex problems sometimes need active intervention.

More from Lao Tzu

  1. By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try, the world is beyond the winning.

    Permalink to quote #22
  2. He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

    Permalink to quote #24
  3. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage.

    Permalink to quote #21

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