If a man is crossing a river and an empty boat collides with his own boat, he won’t get offended or angry, however hot-tempered he may be.

But if the boat is manned, he may flare up, shouting and cursing, just because there’s a rower.

Realize that all boats are empty as you cross the river of the world, and nothing can possibly offend you.

From chapter 43 of Stephen Mitchell’s The Second Book of the Tao (via tinyapps.org)