Laozi · Dao De Jing

Keeping the root

Uses the mother as an image of beginnings and retaining the root while understanding consequences.

Edited by: sakimyto · Published: · Updated:

Business application ↓Use with AI ↓

Source and summary

Excerpt from the original text

天下有始,以為天下母。
Laozi · Dao De Jing · Keeping the root ↗

The summary is editorial. Follow the source link to read the original text.

Modern interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

Business application

Keep whose problem the business solves at the start of decision materials even as initiatives become detailed.

  1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
  2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.
Deliverable
A comparison using keeping the root, with conditions for acting or declining.

Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

Question to test

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

Discuss this material with your AI

Copy the request, fill in the bracketed fields with your problem, and send it to the AI you use.

If the URL cannot be opened, attach or paste the material.

Open Markdown material