Everyday treasures
To find, protect and use
“Three treasures” created by me.
I found the following quote on the internet.
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
I like the saying, believe in it, and apply it in my life. It shows how the quality of kindness can be put into action and make the world a better place. When I speak with kindness, I feel good about myself and hopeful that my words will land with grace and gentleness. When I think kindly, I work with empathy and recognize that we are all connected — a profound realization. When I give with kindness, people respond well.
The saying is ubiquitous on the internet, but is incorrectly attributed to Lao Tzu (Daoism). Many things are attributed to this mysterious sage of ancient China. In fact, the quote is a modern Western saying, starting to appear in the 1970’s.
Though the viral quote is incorrectly attributed to Lao Tzu, the statement is aligned with Taoist virtues. In Chapter 67 of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu speaks of the “Three Treasures” (三寶): compassion/love (慈), moderation/frugality (儉), and humility (不敢為天下先 — literally “not daring to be ahead of the world”).
Here are two versions of a portion of TTC 67. I think these add a poetic, gentle dimension to the modern quote. The second one is a more direct translation, and explores the paradoxical nature of life.
I have Three Treasures that I hold and guard. The first is Kindness. The second is Simplicity. The third is Humbleness. With Kindness, one can be courageous. With Simplicity, one can be generous. With Humbleness, one can be the leader to provide guidance.
I have three treasures
I hold on to them and protect them.
The first is called compassion
The second is called conservation
The third is called not daring to be ahead in the world.
Compassionate, thus able to have courage
Conserving, thus able to reach widely
Not daring to be ahead in the world
Thus able to assume leadership.
These are everyday treasures. “Everyday” not in the sense of being common or trivial — rather, “everyday” in the sense of being important to find, protect and use EVERY DAY.