When the center does not hold, the circle falls apart. [References 'The Second Coming' by William Butler Yeats]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- If the central principle collapses, the whole system falls apart.
- In plain terms
- When the core fails, everything else breaks.
- What can you take from it?
- Maintain a strong core to keep the whole stable.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the 'center' in your current project?
- How can you reinforce it?
Another view
Complex systems can survive partial core loss through redundancy.
More from Lao Tzu
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Permalink to quote #31 The wise man looks into space and does not regard the small as too little, not the great as too big, for he knows that, there is no limit to dimensions.
Permalink to quote #33 When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.
Permalink to quote #30
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