“All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being.”
- 571 BC? – 470 BC?
- Born in China
- Philosopher
- Founder of Taoism, author of the Tao Te Ching and systematized Taoist thought
Quote
“All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being.”
Explanation
This quote from Laozi speaks to the interdependence and origin of all things in the universe. Laozi suggests that everything that exists—all physical forms, ideas, and phenomena—arises from being. However, being itself is not self-originating; it emerges from non-being. Non-being represents the void, the empty space, the potential that exists before something comes into form. This notion of non-being is often interpreted as the unmanifest or the source of all creation. Laozi’s teaching reflects the Daoist concept that the universe operates in cycles of manifestation and return. Just as something can come into being from nothing, it can also return to nothing, highlighting the dynamic and cyclical nature of existence.
In modern terms, this quote challenges us to think about the origin of life, creation, and all matter. It suggests that everything we see in the world—whether it’s physical objects, thoughts, or even emotions—comes from an underlying source that is unmanifest and invisible. The concept of non-being represents the idea that everything exists within a larger interconnectedness that transcends individual existence, and creation itself is a continuous flow between being and non-being. In science, particularly in quantum physics, this idea resonates with the notion that what we perceive as solid and real is ultimately made up of energy and potential that is not visible or tangible.
This principle also encourages a deep understanding of impermanence and transformation. Just as everything comes from nothing and returns to nothing, we are reminded that change is constant and that all forms are temporary. Embracing both the being and non-being aspects of life allows us to experience life without clinging to it and to approach challenges and loss with a sense of acceptance and equilibrium. Laozi’s wisdom reminds us that what we perceive as “real” is merely one expression of a much larger, ever-changing flow that is beyond individual comprehension.
