Laozi:

A great nation is like a great man: When he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it. He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers. He thinks of his enemies as if they were himself. He doesn't hold them in contempt.

— Laozi Ancient

Founder of Taoism

Context

Daodejing, Chapter 61

Date / Period

c. 6th-4th century BCE

Source

https://terebess.hu/english/tao/lau.html#c61

Verification

Unverifiable

Explanation

Found in 1 providers: gemini

Method

Cross Reference

Sources Checked

1 source

More from Laozi

"The difficult is done easily; the easy is done with difficulty."

Humorous

"The greatest villain is the one who tries to do good."

Shocking

"Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. (Do not overdo it.)"

Philosophical

"The heavy is the root of the light. The still is the master of the restless."

Strange & Unusual

"Without going out of the door, one can know the whole world. Without peeping through the window, one can see the Way of Heaven. The further one goes, the less one knows."