Lao Tzu Quotes

We have collected and put the best Lao Tzu quotes in many categories. Enjoy reading these insights and feel free to share this page on your social media to inspire others.

May these Lao Tzu quotes inspire you to never give up and keep working towards your goals. Who knows—success could be just around the corner.

Lǎozǐ (Laozi or Lao Tzu) was a naturalistic philosopher-sage attributed with founding the Chinese way of life known as Daoism, and credited with having written the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), though both claims have been historically disputed by scholars. Perhaps a legendary figure, Laozi’s influence on Chinese history, thought, and culture has nevertheless been substantial. He insisted on living in a harmonious and spontaneous manner rather than exploiting the earth and other beings for self-aggrandizement. In this way, Laozi’s vision seems instructive even today for he emphasized the interconnectedness of life over human self-centeredness.

If you understand others you are smart.
If you understand yourself you are illuminated.
If you overcome others you are powerful.
If you overcome yourself you have strength.
If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.
If you can act with vigor, you have a will.
If you don’t lose your objectives you can be long-lasting.
If you die without loss, you are eternal. – Lao Tzu

Short And Famous Lao Tzu Quotes

A bad man is a good man’s job. – Lao Tzu

A brave and calm man will always preserve life. – Lao Tzu

A brave and passionate man will kill or be killed. – Lao Tzu

A climb of eight hundred feet starts where the foot stands. – Lao Tzu

A foolish man is always doing, Yet much remains to be done. – Lao Tzu

A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. – Lao Tzu

A good calculator does not need artificial aids. – Lao Tzu

A good counter needs no calculator. – Lao Tzu

A good door needs no lock, still it can’t be opened. – Lao Tzu

A good mooring needs no knot, still no one can untie it. – Lao Tzu

A good runner leaves no footprints. – Lao Tzu

A good speaker does not stutter. – Lao Tzu

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. – Lao Tzu

A good traveler leaves no tracks. – Lao Tzu

A good wanderer leaves no trace. – Lao Tzu

A journey of a thousand leagues begins beneath one’s feet. – Lao Tzu

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. – Lao Tzu

A man with outward courage dares to die: a man with inner courage dares to live. – Lao Tzu

A multitude of words is tiresome, unlike remaining centered. – Lao Tzu

A sage is skilled at helping people without excluding anyone. – Lao Tzu

A sound man is good at salvage, at seeing nothing is lost – Lao Tzu

A terrace nine stories high begins with a pile of earth. – Lao Tzu

A tree as wide as a man’s embrace grows from a tiny shoot. – Lao Tzu

A whale out of water is over-run by ants. – Lao Tzu

A winner listens, a loser just waits until it is their turn to talk. – Lao Tzu

Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and people will return to the family ties. – Lao Tzu

Abandon cleverness, discard profit, and thieves and robbers will disappear. – Lao Tzu

Abandon knowledge and your worries are over. – Lao Tzu

Abandon learning and there will be no sorrow. – Lao Tzu

Act without expectation. – Lao Tzu

Activity conquers coldness. Stillness conquers heat. – Lao Tzu

All action begins in rest… This is the ultimate truth. – Lao Tzu

All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. – Lao Tzu

All things arise in unison. Thereby we see their return. – Lao Tzu

All things flourish, and each returns to its source. – Lao Tzu

An over sharpened sword cannot last long. – Lao Tzu

Appetite for food and sex is nature. – Lao Tzu

As for the “proper way:” it is the beginning of disorder. – Lao Tzu

As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it. – Lao Tzu

Battles are followed by years of famine. – Lao Tzu

Be as the still mountain; Move like the great river. – Lao Tzu

Be like water. – Lao Tzu

Be still like a mountain, and flow like a great river. – Lao Tzu

Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity. – Lao Tzu

Be the chief but never the lord. – Lao Tzu

Be truly whole, and all things will return to you. – Lao Tzu

Be who you are, and go the whole way. – Lao Tzu

Because of a great love, one is courageous. – Lao Tzu

Become totally empty. – Lao Tzu

Behave simply and hold on to purity. – Lao Tzu

Bend and you will be straight. – Lao Tzu

Between yea and nay, how much difference is there? – Lao Tzu

Build up virtue, and you master all. – Lao Tzu

By compassion one can be brave. – Lao Tzu

By letting go, it all gets done. – Lao Tzu

By moderation one can be generous. – Lao Tzu

By not claiming to be first in the world one can rule. – Lao Tzu

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. – Lao Tzu

Cautious, like crossing a river in the winter. – Lao Tzu

Composure is the ruler of instability. – Lao Tzu

Conduct your triumph as a funeral. – Lao Tzu

Confidence is the greatest friend. – Lao Tzu

Countless words count less than the silent balance between yin and yang. – Lao Tzu

Cultivate virtue in yourself, and it will be true. – Lao Tzu

Deal with the small before it becomes large. – Lao Tzu

Develop the strength of a man, but live as gently as a woman. – Lao Tzu

Dignified, like a guest. – Lao Tzu

Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity. – Lao Tzu

Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing. – Lao Tzu

Dualistic thinking is a sickness. – Lao Tzu

Empty your mind of all thoughts. – Lao Tzu

Empty yourself of everything. – Lao Tzu

Even the longest journey must begin where you stand. – Lao Tzu

Every journey begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

Every step is on the path. – Lao Tzu

Everything will settle in its own place automatically. – Lao Tzu

Excellent conquerors do not engage. – Lao Tzu

Excellent leaders of people lower themselves. – Lao Tzu

Excellent soldiers are not furious. – Lao Tzu

Excellent warriors are not violent. – Lao Tzu

Fail to honor people, they fail to honor you. – Lao Tzu

Filling life exceedingly is called ominous. – Lao Tzu

First and last follow each other. – Lao Tzu

For one gains by losing And loses by gaining. – Lao Tzu

Free from desire, you realize the mystery. – Lao Tzu

Freedom from desire leads to inner peace. – Lao Tzu

From caring comes courage. – Lao Tzu

From wonder into wonder existence opens. – Lao Tzu

Gain or loss, what is worse? – Lao Tzu

Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself. – Lao Tzu

Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles. – Lao Tzu

Going forward seems like retreat. – Lao Tzu

Going on means going far, going far means returning. – Lao Tzu

Good walking leaves no track behind it. – Lao Tzu

Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue. – Lao Tzu

Governing a large state is like boiling a small fish. – Lao Tzu

Great acts are made up of small deeds. – Lao Tzu

Greed is costly. Assembled fortunes are lost. – Lao Tzu

Have faith in the way things are. – Lao Tzu

He does not seek glory – yet people respect him. – Lao Tzu

He does not seek power – yet people follow him. – Lao Tzu

He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip. – Lao Tzu

He who controls the past controls the future. – Lao Tzu

He who does not trust enough will not be trusted. – Lao Tzu

He who hoards much loses much. – Lao Tzu

He who is attached to things will suffer much. – Lao Tzu

He who is contented is rich. – Lao Tzu

He who knows he has enough is rich. – Lao Tzu

He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much. – Lao Tzu

He who talks more is sooner exhausted. – Lao Tzu

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. – Lao Tzu

Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil. – Lao Tzu

Heavy is the root of light. – Lao Tzu

High and low rest on each other. – Lao Tzu

Hope is as hollow as fear. – Lao Tzu

How do I become still? – Lao Tzu

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. – Lao Tzu

If you are untrustworthy, people will not trust you. – Lao Tzu

If you can find true contentment, it will last forever. – Lao Tzu

If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place. – Lao Tzu

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. – Lao Tzu

If you do not value rare treasures, you will stop others from stealing. – Lao Tzu

If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it. – Lao Tzu

If you want to become full, let yourself be empty. – Lao Tzu

If you want to know me, look inside your heart. – Lao Tzu

If you want to lead them you must place yourself behind them. – Lao Tzu

If you would take, you must first give. – Lao Tzu

If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present. – Lao Tzu

Is it not through her selflessness that she is able to perfect herself? – Lao Tzu

It is fitting for a great nation to yield. – Lao Tzu

It is hidden but always present. – Lao Tzu

It is wealth to be content. – Lao Tzu

Its name-what passes not away. – Lao Tzu

Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there. – Lao Tzu

Justice has long arm. – Lao Tzu

Keeping flexible is called Strength. – Lao Tzu

Kindness in giving creates love. – Lao Tzu

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. – Lao Tzu

Kindness in words creates confidence. – Lao Tzu

Learn to be helpful without taking the credit. – Lao Tzu

Learn to lead in a nourishing manner. – Lao Tzu

Learn to lead without being possessive. – Lao Tzu

Learn to lead without coercion. – Lao Tzu

Let the mind become still. – Lao Tzu

Life and death are one thread. – Lao Tzu

Loss is not as bad as wanting more. – Lao Tzu

Love is a decision – not an emotion! – Lao Tzu

Make the small big and the few many. – Lao Tzu

Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires. – Lao Tzu

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. – Lao Tzu

Meandering leads to perfection. – Lao Tzu

Meet the big while it is small. – Lao Tzu

Meet the difficult while it is easy. – Lao Tzu

Movement overcomes cold. – Lao Tzu

Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear. – Lao Tzu

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. – Lao Tzu

Must one dread what others dread? – Lao Tzu

Nature does not have to insist. – Lao Tzu

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. – Lao Tzu

Nature doesn’t make long speeches. – Lao Tzu

Nature is not anthropomorphic. – Lao Tzu

Nature is not human hearted. – Lao Tzu

New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings. – Lao Tzu

Next comes the one who is feared. – Lao Tzu

No disaster is worse than being discontented. – Lao Tzu

No weapon is sharper than will. – Lao Tzu

Not praising the deserving prevents envy. – Lao Tzu

Not valuing wealth prevents theft. – Lao Tzu

Obscure, like muddy waters. – Lao Tzu

Observe how endings become beginnings. – Lao Tzu

One who is too insistent on his own views finds few to agree with him. – Lao Tzu

Peace and quiet govern the world. – Lao Tzu

Peace is our natural state of being. – Lao Tzu

Practice non-action. Work without doing. – Lao Tzu

Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place. – Lao Tzu

Praise and disgrace cause fear. – Lao Tzu

Prepare while it’s easy. – Lao Tzu

Presuming to know is a disease. – Lao Tzu

Pursue without interfering. – Lao Tzu

Quarrel with a friend – and you are both wrong. – Lao Tzu

Requite injury with kindness. – Lao Tzu

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment. – Lao Tzu

Returning is the movement of the Way. – Lao Tzu

Returning to the source is serenity. – Lao Tzu

Searching for precious goods leads astray. – Lao Tzu

See the world as your self. – Lao Tzu

Seeing the small is called clarity. – Lao Tzu

Silence is a source of great strength. – Lao Tzu

Simple, like uncarved wood. – Lao Tzu

Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. – Lao Tzu

Some lose yet gain, others gain and yet lose. – Lao Tzu

Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself. – Lao Tzu

Stillness is easy to maintain. – Lao Tzu

Stillness is the ruler of haste. – Lao Tzu

Stillness overcomes heat. – Lao Tzu

Stop thinking, and end your problems. – Lao Tzu

Success is as dangerous as failure. – Lao Tzu

Take care with the end as you do with the beginning. – Lao Tzu

The best fighter is never angry. – Lao Tzu

The brittle is easy to shatter. – Lao Tzu

The great image lacks shape. – Lao Tzu

The Great Vessel takes long to complete. – Lao Tzu

The greatest revelation is stillness. – Lao Tzu

The hard and stiff will be broken. – Lao Tzu

The heart that gives, gathers. – Lao Tzu

The highest benevolence acts without purpose. – Lao Tzu

The highest tone is hard to hear. – Lao Tzu

The highest truth cannot be put into words. – Lao Tzu

The highest virtue seems as low as a valley. – Lao Tzu

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness. – Lao Tzu

The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be. – Lao Tzu

The more you talk of it, the less you understand. – Lao Tzu

The most able seems clumsy. – Lao Tzu

The most complete seems lacking. Yet in use it is not exhausted. – Lao Tzu

The most difficult in the world must be easy in its beginning. – Lao Tzu

The most eloquent seems to stutter. – Lao Tzu

The most fundamental seems fickle. – Lao Tzu

The most straight seems curved. – Lao Tzu

The perfect square lacks corners. – Lao Tzu

The poorer people become. – Lao Tzu

The purest white seems stained. – Lao Tzu

The real is empty and the empty real. – Lao Tzu

The rigid tree will be felled. – Lao Tzu

The sage acts by doing nothing. – Lao Tzu

The separate parts make no carriage. – Lao Tzu

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself. – Lao Tzu

The soft and supple will prevail. – Lao Tzu

The soft and weak can overcome the hard and strong. – Lao Tzu

The sturdiest virtue seems fragile. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is nowhere to be found. Yet it nourishes and completes all things. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is told is not the Tao. – Lao Tzu

The Tao of the sage is work without effort. – Lao Tzu

The Tao principle is what happens of itself. – Lao Tzu

The Tao that can be spoken is not the true Tao. – Lao Tzu

The Tao’s principle is spontaneity. – Lao Tzu

The truest sayings are paradoxical. – Lao Tzu

The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth. – Lao Tzu

The unyielding army will not win. – Lao Tzu

The value of actions lies in their timing. – Lao Tzu

The Way is ever nameless. – Lao Tzu

The way of heaven is to help and not harm. – Lao Tzu

The way to do is to be. – Lao Tzu

The words of truth are always paradoxical – Lao Tzu

The world belongs to those who let go. – Lao Tzu

The world is won by those who let it go. – Lao Tzu

There is a time to live and a time to die but never to reject the moment. – Lao Tzu

There is no greater crime than desire. – Lao Tzu

There is no greater disaster than discontent. – Lao Tzu

There is no illusion greater than fear. – Lao Tzu

Those who are unswerving have resolve. – Lao Tzu

Those who boast are not respected. – Lao Tzu

Those who show off do not shine. – Lao Tzu

Those who stand on their toes are not steady. – Lao Tzu

Those who stay where they are will endure. – Lao Tzu

Those who take long steps cannot keep the pace. – Lao Tzu

Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to’. – Lao Tzu

To a mind that is still the whole universe surrenders. – Lao Tzu

To be of few words is natural. – Lao Tzu

To be worn out is to be renewed. – Lao Tzu

To delight in conquest is to delight in slaughter. – Lao Tzu

To have enough of enough is always enough. – Lao Tzu

To have little is to possess. – Lao Tzu

To hold, you must first open your hand. Let go. – Lao Tzu

To lead people, walk beside them. – Lao Tzu

To lead, one must follow. – Lao Tzu

To see things in the seed, that is genius. – Lao Tzu

To understand the limitation of things, desire them. – Lao Tzu

True power is stillness within motion. – Lao Tzu

True words are not pleasing. Pleasing words are not true. – Lao Tzu

True words seem false. – Lao Tzu

Truly, only those who see illness as illness can avoid illness. – Lao Tzu

Use the light to return to clarity. – Lao Tzu

Use your light, but dim your brightness. – Lao Tzu

Wary, as if surrounded by strangers. – Lao Tzu

Water does not force its way. – Lao Tzu

Wear down to be renewed. – Lao Tzu

What is firmly rooted cannot be pulled out. – Lao Tzu

What resists, persists. – Lao Tzu

When bitter enemies make peace, surely some bitterness remains. – Lao Tzu

When cleverness emerges There is great hypocrisy. – Lao Tzu

When equal armies battle, the grieving one will be victorious. – Lao Tzu

When everyone in the world sees beauty, then ugly exists. – Lao Tzu

When everyone sees good, then bad exists. – Lao Tzu

When family ties are disturbed, devoted children arise. – Lao Tzu

When goodness is lost there is morality. – Lao Tzu

When goodness is lost, it is replaced by morality. – Lao Tzu

When great armies go to war, Sorrow is the sole winner. – Lao Tzu

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. – Lao Tzu

When leading people and serving Heaven, nothing exceeds moderation. – Lao Tzu

When men lack a sense of awe, there will be a disaster. – Lao Tzu

When men lost their understanding of the Tao, intelligence came along, bringing hypocrisy with it. – Lao Tzu

When much virtue is achieved, nothing is not overcome. – Lao Tzu

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone. – Lao Tzu

When people are unsettled, loyal ministers arise. – Lao Tzu

When people do not dread authorities, then a greater dread descends. – Lao Tzu

When people see some things as good, other things become bad. – Lao Tzu

When taxes are too high, people go hungry. – Lao Tzu

When the hares have all been caught, the hunting dogs are cooked. – Lao Tzu

When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready… The teacher will disappear. – Lao Tzu

When there is no desire, all things are at peace. – Lao Tzu

When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises. – Lao Tzu

When you accept yourself, the Universe accepts you. – Lao Tzu

When you accept yourself, the whole world accepts you. – Lao Tzu

When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you. – Lao Tzu

When you are sick of your sickness you will cease to be sick. – Lao Tzu

Where no harm can come to you. – Lao Tzu

Where there is no conflict, there is no fault. – Lao Tzu

Who can rest until the moment of action? – Lao Tzu

Who can wait in stillness while the mud settles? – Lao Tzu

Wise men hear and see as little children do. – Lao Tzu

Wise travelers always stop short before they come to danger. – Lao Tzu

With few there is attainment. With much there is confusion. – Lao Tzu

Without law or compulsion, men would dwell in harmony. – Lao Tzu

Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven’s Way. – Lao Tzu

Without stepping out the door, you can know the world. – Lao Tzu

Yet mystery and reality emerge from the same source. – Lao Tzu

Yet no man under heaven knows them or practices them. – Lao Tzu

Yielding is the manner of the Way. – Lao Tzu

Yielding is the way of the Tao. – Lao Tzu

Yielding, like ice about to melt. – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes

Colors blind the eye
Sounds deafen the ear.
Flavors numb the taste.
Thoughts weaken the mind.
Desires wither the heart. – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes on Different Subjects

A follower of the Way (Tao) loses something each day. Loss after loss until arriving at Non Action (Wu Wei). – Lao Tzu

A good athlete can enter a state of body-awareness in which the right stroke or the right movement happens by itself, effortlessly, without any interference of the conscious will. This is a paradigm for non-action: the purest and most effective form of action. The game plays the game; the poem writes the poem; we can’t tell the dancer from the dance. It happens when we trust the intelligence of the universe in the same way that an athlete or a dancer trusts the superior intelligence of the body. – Lao Tzu

A good manager is best when people barely know that he exists. Not so good when people obey and acclaim him. Worse when they despise him. – Lao Tzu

A good person is the bad person’s teacher. A bad person is the good person’s task. – Lao Tzu

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is. Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn’t reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn’t waste anything. This is called embodying the light. What is a good man but a bad man’s teacher? What is a bad man but a good man’s job? If you don’t understand this, you will get lost, however intelligent you are. It is the great secret. – Lao Tzu

A good traveler leaves no tracks. Good speech lacks fault-finding. – Lao Tzu

A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world’s meeting ground, the world’s female. – Lao Tzu

A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, the great country ought to yield. – Lao Tzu

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 enemy as the shadow that he himself casts. – Lao Tzu

A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step – Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. – Lao Tzu

A journey of a thousand miles starts in front of your feet. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth. A journey of a thousand miles starts in front of your feet. – Lao Tzu

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and if that step is the right step, it becomes the last step. – Lao Tzu

A man with outward courage dares to die: a man with inner courage dares to live. – Lao Tzu

A man’s excellence is like that of water; It benefits all things without striving; It takes to the low places shunned by men. Water is akin to Tao. . . . In all the earth nothing weaker than water, Yet in attacking the hard, nothing superior, Nothing so certain in wearing down strength: There is no way to resist it. Note then: The weak conquer the strong, The yielding outlast the aggressors. – Lao Tzu

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar. – Lao Tzu

A skillful commander is not overbearing. A skillful fighter does not become angry. A skillful conqueror does not compete with people. One who is skillful in using men puts himself below them. This is called the strength to use men. This is called matching Heaven, The highest principle of old. – Lao Tzu

A tree that can fill the span of a man’s arms grows from a downy tip; A terrace nine stories high rises from level earth; A journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath one’s feet. – Lao Tzu

A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind. Thus by nature’s own decree, the soft and gentle are triumphant. – Lao Tzu

A tree that is unbending, is easily broken. – Lao Tzu

A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth. – Lao Tzu

A variety of colors makes man’s eye blind; a diversity of sounds makes man’s ear deaf; a mixture of flavors makes man’s palate dull. – Lao Tzu

A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful. – Lao Tzu

A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. – Lao Tzu

A violent wind does not outlast the morning; a squall of rain does not outlast the day. Such is the course of Nature. And if Nature herself cannot sustain her efforts long, how much less can man! – Lao Tzu

Abandon fancy theologies and imaginary ideas and do some ordinary daily work… {Engage in this work with} unswerving kindness and unending patience. – Lao Tzu

Abandon wisdom, discard knowledge, and people will benefit a hundredfold. – Lao Tzu

Above, it isn’t bright. Below, it isn’t dark. Seamless, unnamable, it returns to the realm of nothing. Form that includes all forms, image without an image, subtle, beyond all conception. – Lao Tzu

Accept disgrace willingly… Accept being unimportant… Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things. Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things. – Lao Tzu

Accomplish but do not boast, accomplish without show, accomplish without arrogance, accomplish without grabbing, accomplish without forcing. – Lao Tzu

Act non-action; undertake no undertaking; taste the tasteless. – Lao Tzu

Act without doing; work without effort. Think of the small as large and the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. The Master never reaches for the great; thus she achieves greatness. When she runs into a difficulty, she stops and gives herself to it. She doesn’t cling to her own comfort; thus problems are no problem for her. – Lao Tzu

Act without striving. Work without interfering. Find the flavor in what is flavorless. – Lao Tzu

Acting without design, occupying oneself without making a business of it, finding the great in what is small and the many in the few, repaying injury with kindness, effecting difficult things while they are easy, and managing great things in their beginnings; this is the method of Tao. – Lao Tzu

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small. – Lao Tzu

All things carry yin and embrace yang. They reach harmony by blending with the vital breath. – Lao Tzu

All things in nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing. They fulfill their function and make no claim. All things alike do their work, and then we see them subside. When they have reached their bloom, each returns to its origin. . . . This reversion is an eternal law. To know that law is wisdom. – Lao Tzu

All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being. – Lao Tzu

All things issue from it; all things return to it. To find the origin, trace back the manifestations. When you recognize the children and find the mother, you will be free of sorrow. If you close your mind in judgements and traffic with desires, your heart will be troubled. If you keep your mind from judging and aren’t led by the senses, your heart will find peace. Seeing into darkness is clarity. Knowing how to yield is strength. Use your own light and return to the source of light. This is called practicing eternity. – Lao Tzu

All things of the world are born of being; being is born of nonbeing. – Lao Tzu

Allow your softer, more intuitive, and less dominating feminine qualities to rise to the fore, so that you’re surrendering rather than dominating, receiving rather than broadcasting, loving rather than fighting. – Lao Tzu

Although he travels all day, the sage never loses sight of his luggage carts. – Lao Tzu

Although most people spend their entire lives following this biological impulse (i.e. the sex drive), it is only a tiny portion of our beings. . . . If we remain obsessed with seeds and eggs, we are married to the fertile reproductive valley of the Mysterious Mother but not to her immeasurable heart and all-knowing mind. – Lao Tzu

Although there are weapons for tens and hundreds of soldiers, they will not be used. – Lao Tzu

Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream. – Lao Tzu

Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream. – Lao Tzu

Always without desire we must be found, If its deep mystery we would sound; But if desire always within us be, Its outer fringe is all that we shall see. – Lao Tzu

Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretches her fingers to touch the heavens. – Lao Tzu

An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox. – Lao Tzu

An integral being knows without going, sees without looking, and accomplishes without doing. – Lao Tzu

Ancient masters of excellence had a subtle essence, and a depth too profound to comprehend. – Lao Tzu

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy. – Lao Tzu

Approach the universe with Tao, And evil will have no power. Not that evil is not powerful, But its power will not be used to harm others. – Lao Tzu

Arms are instruments of ill omen, not the instruments of the gentleman. When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish. – Lao Tzu

Arms are instruments of ill omen…. When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish. There is no glory in victory, and to glorify it despite this is to exult in the killing of men…. When great numbers of people are killed, one should weep over them with sorrow. When victorious in war, one should observe mourning rites. – Lao Tzu

As it acts in the world, the Tao is like the bending of a bow. The top is bent downward; the bottom is bent up. It adjusts excess and deficiency so that there is perfect balance. – Lao Tzu

As long as we have hope, we have direction, the energy to move, and the map to move by. We have a hundred alternatives, a thousand paths and an infinity of dreams. Hopeful, we are halfway to where we want to go; hopeless, we are lost forever. – Lao Tzu

As restrictions and prohibitions are multiplied the people grow poorer and poorer. When they are subjected to overmuch government, the land is thrown into confusion. – Lao Tzu

As soon as rules were made, names were given. There are already many names. One must know when it is enough. – Lao Tzu

As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it. – Lao Tzu

Attain utmost emptiness. Abide in steadfast stillness. – Lao Tzu

Attending fully and becoming supple, Can you be as a newborn babe? – Lao Tzu

Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. – Lao Tzu

Be empty. Be still. Just watch everything come and go. This is the way of Nature. – Lao Tzu

Be humble and you will remain entire. The sages do not display themselves, therefore they shine. They do not approve themselves, therefore they are noted. They do not praise themselves, therefore they have merit. They do not glory in themselves, therefore they excel. – Lao Tzu

Because clarity and enlightenment are within your own nature, they are regained without moving an inch. – Lao Tzu

Because every portion of the body, mind, and spirit yearns for the integration of yin and yang, angelic intercourse is led by the spirit rather than the sexual organs. . . . Where ordinary intercourse unites sex organs with sex organs, angelic cultivation unites spirit with spirit, mind with mind, and every cell of one body with every cell of the other body. – Lao Tzu

Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her. – Lao Tzu

Become totally empty. Quiet the restlessness of the mind only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness. – Lao Tzu

Being a model to the world, eternal virtue will never falter in you, and you return to the boundless. – Lao Tzu

Being is born of not being. – Lao Tzu

Being satisfied with little, you can gain much. Seeking much you will go astray. The wise heeds this precept. If it could be so with all people! – Lao Tzu

Better stop short than fill to the brim. Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt. Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it. – Lao Tzu

But in the present day men cast off gentleness, and are all for being bold; they spurn frugality, and retain only extravagance; they discard humility, and aim only at being first. Therefore they shall surely perish. – Lao Tzu

By following this simple path, you become extraordinary, unfathomable, a being of profound cosmic subtlety. You outlive time and space by realizing the subtle truth of the universe. – Lao Tzu

By steadily disciplining the animal nature, until it becomes one pointed, it is possible to establish conscious awareness of The Eternal. – Lao Tzu

Can you be still and look inside? If so, then you know the truth is always available, and always responsive. – Lao Tzu

Can you care for the people and rule the country and not be cunning? – Lao Tzu

Can you comprehend everything in the four directions and still do nothing? – Lao Tzu

Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue. – Lao Tzu

Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby? – Lao Tzu

Can you let go of words and ideas, attitudes and expectations? If so, then the Tao will loom into view. – Lao Tzu

Can you make your soul embrace the One and not lose it? – Lao Tzu

Can you open and close the gate of Heaven and act like a woman? – Lao Tzu

Can you step back from your own mind and thus understand all things? – Lao Tzu

Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner. – Lao Tzu

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. – Lao Tzu

Carrying body and soul and embracing the one, Can you avoid separation? – Lao Tzu

Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more scared than simply breathing, religious robes no more spiritual than work clothes. – Lao Tzu

Clay is fashioned into vessels; it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a dwelling, and on the empty space within, its use depends. Thus, while the existence of things may be good, it is the non-existence in them that makes them serviceable. – Lao Tzu

Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility. – Lao Tzu

Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. . . . Thus, taking advantage of what is, we recognize the utility of what is not. – Lao Tzu

Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful. – Lao Tzu

Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. – Lao Tzu

Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world. – Lao Tzu

Complete your task. Seek no reward. Make no claims. Without faltering fully choose to do what you must do. – Lao Tzu

Conclusions are ignorance arrested on the path to less ignorance. – Lao Tzu

Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength. – Lao Tzu

Conquering others takes force, conquering yourself is true strength. – Lao Tzu

Conquering the world and changing it, I do not think it can succeed. – Lao Tzu

Correct becomes defect. Good becomes ominous. People’s delusions have certainly lasted long. – Lao Tzu

Covetousness is the greatest misfortune. One who does not know what is enough will never have enough. – Lao Tzu

Creating without claiming, Doing without taking credit, Guiding without interfering, This is Primal Virtue. – Lao Tzu

Cultivate virtue in the world, and it will be universal. – Lao Tzu

Cut out doors and windows for the house. The holes make it useful. – Lao Tzu

Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding. – Lao Tzu

Deal with difficult tasks while they are easy. Act on large issues while they are small. – Lao Tzu

Deal with it before it happens. Set things in order before there is confusion. – Lao Tzu

Displaying riches and titles with pride brings about one’s downfall. – Lao Tzu

Distortion upon distortion: . . . the more one uses the mind, the more confused one becomes. – Lao Tzu

Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty when it is still easy, do the great while it is still small. The most difficult things in the world must be done while they are easy; the greatest things in the world must be done while they are small. – Lao Tzu

Do not attempt to conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance. – Lao Tzu

Do not conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance. Thorns spring up when an army passes. Years of misery follow a great victory. Do only what needs to be done without using violence. – Lao Tzu

Do not fear the aging of the body for it is the body’s way of seeking the root. – Lao Tzu

Do not imagine that an integral being has the ambition of enlightening the unaware or raising worldly people to the divine realm. To her, there is no self and other, and hence no one to be raised; no heaven and hell, and hence no destination. – Lao Tzu

Do not look only at yourself, and you will see much. Do not justify yourself, and you will be distinguished. Do not brag, and you will have merit. Do not be prideful, and your work will endure. – Lao Tzu

Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you. – Lao Tzu

Do not strive for the shine of jade, but clatter like stone. – Lao Tzu

Do nothing, and leave nothing undone. [“Doing nothing” is what happens when the doer disappears, it isn’t something that one does or chooses not to do.] – Lao Tzu

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. – Lao Tzu

Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself? – Lao Tzu

Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear? – Lao Tzu

Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look out at the stars. This practice should answer the question….. The master settles her mind as the universe settles the stars in the sky. By connecting her mind with the subtle origin, she calms it. Once calmed, it naturally expands, and ultimately her mind becomes as vast and immeasurable as the night sky. – Lao Tzu

Do you think that you can clear your mind by sitting constantly in silent meditation? This makes your mind narrow, not clear. Integral awareness is fluid and adaptable, present in all places and at all times. That is true meditation. … The Tao is clear and simple, and it doesn’t avoid the world. – Lao Tzu

Do you think you can make the world a better place? I do not think you can. It is already perfect. – Lao Tzu

Do you want to improve the world? I don’t think it can be done. The world is sacred. It can’t be improved. If you tamper with it, you’ll ruin it. If you treat it like an object, you’ll lose it. There is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind; a time for being in motion, a time for being at rest; a time for being vigorous, a time for being exhausted; a time for being safe, a time for being in danger. The Master sees things as they are, without trying to control them. She lets them go their own way, and resides at the center of the circle. – Lao Tzu

Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity. – Lao Tzu

Does one scent appeal more than another? Do you prefer this flavor, or that feeling? Is your practice sacred and your work profane? Then your mind is separated: from itself, from oneness, from the Tao. – Lao Tzu

Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing. – Lao Tzu

Don’t impose your will through manipulation of aggressive emotions and actions. – Lao Tzu

Don’t think you can attain total awareness and whole enlightenment without proper discipline and practice. This is egomania. Eliminate mental muddiness and obscurity; keep your mind crystal clear. Allow your pure original insight to emerge. Quiet your emotions and abide in serenity. Don’t go crazy with the worship of idols, images, and ideas; this is like putting a new head on top of the head you already have. Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear. – Lao Tzu

Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little. – Lao Tzu

Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return. Each separate being in the universe returns to the common source. Returning to the source is serenity. If you don’t realize the source, you stumble in confusion and sorrow. When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused, kindhearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king. Immersed in the wonder of the Tao, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death comes, you are ready. – Lao Tzu

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery. – Lao Tzu

Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao. It springs into existence, unconscious, perfect, free, takes on a physical body, lets circumstances complete it. That is why every being spontaneously honors the Tao. The Tao gives birth to all beings, nourishes them, maintains them, cares for them, comforts them, protects them, takes them back to itself, creating without possessing, acting without expecting, guiding without interfering. That is why love of the Tao is in the very nature of things. – Lao Tzu

Every human being’s essential nature is perfect and faultless, but after years of immersion in the world we easily forget our roots and take on a counterfeit nature. – Lao Tzu

Everything in the universe is created from something, which in turn is created from nothing. – Lao Tzu

Express yourself completely, then keep quiet. Be like the forces of nature: when it blows, there is only wind; when it rains, there is only rain; when the clouds pass, the sun shines through. If you open yourself to the Tao, you are at one with the Tao and you can embody it completely. If you open yourself to insight, you are at one with insight and you can use it completely. If you open yourself to loss, you are at one with loss and you can accept it completely. Open yourself to the Tao, then trust your natural responses; and everything will fall into place. – Lao Tzu

Extreme straightness is as bad as crookedness. Extreme cleverness is as bad as folly. Extreme fluency is as bad as stammering. – Lao Tzu

Face the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big. – Lao Tzu

Failure is an opportunity. If you blame someone else, there is no end to the blame. Therefore the Master fulfills her own obligations and corrects her own mistakes. She does what she needs to do and demands nothing of others. – Lao Tzu

Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved. Success is the lurking-place of failure; but who can tell when the turning-point will come? – Lao Tzu

Failure is the foundation of success: success is the lurking place of failure. – Lao Tzu

Fame of self: Which matters more? Self or wealth: Which is more precious? Gain or loss: Which is more painful? – Lao Tzu

Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. – Lao Tzu

Favor and disgrace are like fear. Favor is in a higher place, and disgrace in a lower place. When you win them you are like being in fear, and when you lose them you are also like being in fear. So favor and disgrace are like fear. – Lao Tzu

Few things under heaven bring more benefit than the lessons learned from silence and the actions taken without striving. – Lao Tzu

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity. – Lao Tzu

Filling all the way to the brim is not as good as halting in time. – Lao Tzu

Find a teacher who is an integral being, a beacon who extends his light and virtue with equal ease to those who appreciate him and those who don’t. Shape yourself in his mold, bathe in his nourishing radiance, and reflect it out to the rest of the world. – Lao Tzu

Fine words are traded. Noble deeds gain respect. But people who are not good, why abandon them? – Lao Tzu

First, we must do our own personal work, then we tend the necessary work of our family, then our community, then the world. – Lao Tzu

Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world. – Lao Tzu

For all things difficult to acquire, the intelligent man works with perseverance. – Lao Tzu

For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions. – Lao Tzu

Force is followed by loss of strength. This is not the way of the Tao. That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end. – Lao Tzu

Free from desire, you realize the mystery, caught in the desire, you see only the manifestations. – Lao Tzu

From caring comes courage. – Lao Tzu

From now back to antiquity, its (Tao’s) name has not been lost. Thereby, see the origin of all. – Lao Tzu

From What-is all the world of things was born But What-is sprang in turn from What-is-not. – Lao Tzu

From wonder into wonder existence opens. – Lao Tzu

Geese are white, crows are black. No argument will change this. – Lao Tzu

Gentleness brings victory to him who attacks, and safety to him who defends. Those whom Heaven would save, it fences round with gentleness. – Lao Tzu

Gently eliminating all obstacles to his own understanding, he constantly maintains his unconditional sincerity. His humility, perseverance, and adaptability evoke the response of the universe and fill him with divine light. – Lao Tzu

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. – Lao Tzu

Giving birth and nourishing, Bearing yet not possessing, Working yet not taking credit, Leading yet not dominating, This is the Primal Virtue. – Lao Tzu

Giving to others selflesly and anonymously, radiating light throughout the world and illuminating your own darkness, your virtue becomes a sanctuary for yourself and all beings. – Lao Tzu

Going back to the origin is called peace; it means reversion to destiny. Reversion to destiny is called eternity. Those who know eternity are called enlightened. – Lao Tzu

Good Government is not intrusive the people are hardly aware of it; the next best is felt yet loved; then comes that which is known and feared; the worst government is hated. – Lao Tzu

Good men are bad men’s instructors, And bad men are good men’s materials. – Lao Tzu

Good words shall gain you honor in the marketplace, but good deeds shall gain you friends among men. – Lao Tzu

Goodness strives not, and therefore it is not rebuked. – Lao Tzu

Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it. – Lao Tzu

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish – too much handling will spoil it. – Lao Tzu

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking. Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power. Not that it isn’t there, but you’ll be able to step out of its way. Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself. – Lao Tzu

Great accomplishment seems imperfect, Yet it does not outlive its usefulness. Great fullness seems empty, Yet it cannot be exhausted. – Lao Tzu

Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven. – Lao Tzu

Great talents ripen late; the highest notes are hard to hear. – Lao Tzu

Great, it passes on (in constant flow). – Lao Tzu

Greed for enlightenment and immortality is no different than greed for material wealth. It is self-centered and dualistic, and thus an obstacle to true attainment. Therefore these states are never achieved by those who covet them; rather, they are the reward of the virtuous. – Lao Tzu

Happiness perches on misery. Misery crouches beneath happiness. – Lao Tzu

Harmony is called the eternal. Knowing the eternal is called clarity. – Lao Tzu

Have patience. Wait until the mud settles and the water is clear. Remain unmoving until right action arises by itself. – Lao Tzu

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still. – Lao Tzu

He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much. – Lao Tzu

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy. – Lao Tzu

Heaven and Earth are not kind. They regard all things as offerings. – Lao Tzu

Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the various creatures as straw dogs; the sage is ruthless, and treats others as straw dogs. – Lao Tzu

Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment. – Lao Tzu

Heaven is eternal and Earth everlasting. They can be eternal and everlasting because they do not exist for themselves, And for this reason can exist forever. – Lao Tzu

heaven is eternal, earth everlasting. they endure this way because they do not live for themselves. in the same way, the wise person puts himself last, and thereby finds himself first, holds himself outside, and thereby remains at the center, abandons himself, and is thereby fulfilled. – Lao Tzu

Heaven is long-enduring, and earth continues long. The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is that they do not live of, or for, themselves. – Lao Tzu

Heaven’s net is very vast. It is sparsely meshed, yet nothing slips through. – Lao Tzu

Heaven’s Way does not contend, yet it certainly triumphs. It does not speak, yet it certainly answers. It does not summon, yet things come by themselves. It seems to be at rest, yet it certainly has a plan. – Lao Tzu

Heaven’s Way gives no favors. It always remains with good people. – Lao Tzu

Heaven’s Way is like stretching a bow. The high is lowered and the low is raised. Excess is reduced and deficiency is replenished. Heaven’s Way reduces excess and replenishes deficiency. People’s Way is not so. They reduce the deficient and supply the excessive. – Lao Tzu

Highest good is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes closest to the way. – Lao Tzu

Hold on to the ancient Way to master the present, and to learn the distant beginning. – Lao Tzu

Hold on to the great image, and the whole world follows, follows unharmed, content and completely at peace. – Lao Tzu

Holding on to the weak is called strength. – Lao Tzu

Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don’t see the self as self, what do we have to fear? – Lao Tzu

How can one liberate the many? By first liberating his own being. He does this not by elevating himself, but by lowering himself. He lowers himself to that which is simple, modest, true; integrating it into himself, he becomes a master of simplicity, modesty, truth. – Lao Tzu

How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men? – Lao Tzu

How do I know about the world? By what is within me. – Lao Tzu

Human being’s essential nature is perfect and faultless. – Lao Tzu

I alone am different from the others, because I am nourished by the great mother. – Lao Tzu

I alone have the mind of a fool, and am all muddled and vague. The people are so smart and bright. While I am just dull and confused. – Lao Tzu

I am at peace, and people become fair by themselves. – Lao Tzu

I am good to people who are good. I am also good to people who are not good. Because Virtue is goodness. – Lao Tzu

I am wearied, as if I lacked a home to go to. – Lao Tzu

I confess that there is nothing to teach: no religion, no science, no writings which will lead your mind back to Spirit. Today I speak this way, tomorrow that, but always the Path is beyond words and beyond mind. – Lao Tzu

I do not act, and people become reformed by themselves. – Lao Tzu

I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any. – Lao Tzu

I do not interfere, and people become rich by themselves. – Lao Tzu

I do not know its name. I call it the Way. For the lack of better words I call it great. – Lao Tzu

I find good people good And I find bad people good If I am good enough. – Lao Tzu

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. – Lao Tzu

I have no desire to desire, and people become like the uncarved wood by themselves. – Lao Tzu

I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing. – Lao Tzu

I have three treasures that I cherish. The first is compassion. The second is moderation. The third is not claiming to be first in the world. – Lao Tzu

I let go of all desire for the common good, and the good becomes as common as the grass. – Lao Tzu

I observe myself and I come to know others. – Lao Tzu

I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct. – Lao Tzu

If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country. – Lao Tzu

If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness. – Lao Tzu

If good happens, good; if bad happens, good. – Lao Tzu

If Heaven and Earth are unable to persist, how could man? – Lao Tzu

If Heaven were not clear it might rend. If Earth were not firm it might crumble. – Lao Tzu

If I had just a little bit of wisdom I should walk the great path and fear only straying from it. – Lao Tzu

If I have even just a little sense, I will walk on the main road and my only fear will be of straying from it. Keeping to the main road is easy, But people love to be sidetracked.

If I have just an ounce of sense, I follow the great Way, and fear only to stray from it. – Lao Tzu

If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees. – Lao Tzu

If one desires to receive one must first give. This is called profound understanding. – Lao Tzu

If people are not afraid of dying, why threaten them with death? – Lao Tzu

If people live in constant fear of death, and if breaking the law is punished by death, then who would dare? – Lao Tzu

If princes and kings could follow it (Tao), all things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite and sweet dew would fall. People would by themselves find harmony, without being commanded. – Lao Tzu

If princes and kings were not exalted they might be overthrown. – Lao Tzu

If the majority doesn’t laugh at you, beware that you must be saying something wrong. When the majority thinks you are a fool, only then is there some possibility of you being a wise man. – Lao Tzu

If the people must be ever fearful of death, then there will always be an executioner. – Lao Tzu

If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, There must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart. – Lao Tzu

If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. – Lao Tzu

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. if you are at peace, you are living in the present. – Lao Tzu

If you attach yourself to gross energies – loving this person, hating that clan, rejecting one experience or habitually indulging in another – then you will lead a series of heavy, attached lives. This can go on for a very long and tedious time. – Lao Tzu

If you can let go of (the Tao) with your mind and surround it with your heart, it will live inside you forever. – Lao Tzu

If you close your mind in judgements and traffic with desires, your heart will be troubled. If you keep your mind from judging and aren’t led by the senses, your heart will find peace. – Lao Tzu

If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place. – Lao Tzu

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. – Lao Tzu

If you do not value rare treasures, you will stop others from stealing. – Lao Tzu

If you go searching for the Great Creator, you will come back empty-handed. The source of the universe is ultimately unknowable, a great invisible river flowing forever through a vast and fertile valley. Silent and uncreated, it creates all things. – Lao Tzu

If you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you. – Lao Tzu

If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness. – Lao Tzu

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled. – Lao Tzu

If you never assume importance, you never lose it. – Lao Tzu

If you practice inaction, nothing will be left undone: For the way to acquire lordship over society is by invariably not interfering. – Lao Tzu

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve. – Lao Tzu

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you aren’t afraid of dying, there is nothing you can’t achieve. Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter’s place. When you handle the master carpenter’s tools, chances are that you’ll cut your hand. – Lao Tzu

If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich. – Lao Tzu

If you really want everything, then give up everything. – Lao Tzu

If you scramble about in search of inner peace, you will lose your inner peace. – Lao Tzu

If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession. – Lao Tzu

If you see what is small as it sees itself, and accept what is weak for what strength it has, and use what is dim for the light it gives then all will go well. This is called Acting Naturally. – Lao Tzu

If you tell me, I will listen. If you show me, I will see. If you let me experience, I will learn! – Lao Tzu

If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it. – Lao Tzu

If you want everything, you first have to give everything up. – Lao Tzu

If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go. – Lao Tzu

If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself, if you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation. – Lao Tzu

If you want to be given everything, give everything up. – Lao Tzu

If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtler perception of the way things are. The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast. Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results. – Lao Tzu

If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind. – Lao Tzu

If you wish to become a divine immortal angel, then restore the angelic qualities of your being through virtue and service. This is the only way to gain the attention of the immortals… These angelic teachers cannot be sought out; it is they who seek out the student. When you succeed in connecting your energy with the divine realm through high awareness and the practice of undiscriminating virtue, the transmission of the ultimate subtle truths will follow. – Lao Tzu

If you worry more for others’ beliefs, then you will be their slave. – Lao Tzu

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence. – Lao Tzu

If your virtue is especially radiant, it can be possible to open a pathway to the subtle realm and receive these celestial teachings directly from the immortals. – Lao Tzu

In ancient times, people said that imperfect moves to becoming perfect. Are these words vain? No! Truly, by gaining Unity you come to Perfection! – Lao Tzu

In caring for others and serving heaven, There is nothing like using restraint. – Lao Tzu

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. – Lao Tzu

In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious, the earth is solid and full, all creature flourish together, content with the way they are, endlessly repeating themselves, endlessly renewed. When man interferes with the Tao, the sky becomes filthy, the earth becomes depleted, the equilibrium crumbles, creatures become extinct. The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn’t glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as stone. – Lao Tzu

In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost. – Lao Tzu

In order to contract, It is necessary first to expand. In order to weaken, It is necessary first to strengthen. In order to destroy, It is first necessary to promote. In order to grasp, It is necessary first to give. This is called subtle light. The weak and the tender overcome the hard and the strong. – Lao Tzu

In order to eliminate the negative influences, simply ignore them. – Lao Tzu

In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity. – Lao Tzu

In the highest antiquity, the people did not know that there were rulers. In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them. – Lao Tzu

In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped. – Lao Tzu

In the Universe the difficult things are done as if they were easy. – Lao Tzu

In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them. – Lao Tzu

In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it. – Lao Tzu

In this world, there is nothing softer or thinner than water. But to compel the hard and unyielding, it has no equal. That the weak overcomes the strong, that the hard gives way to the gentle – this everyone knows. Yet no one asks accordingly. – Lao Tzu

Integral wisdom involves a direct participation in every moment: the observer and the observed are dissolved in the light of pure awareness, and no mental concepts or attitudes are present to dim that light. – Lao Tzu

Intellectual knowledge exists in and of the brain. Because the brain is part of the body, which must one day expire, this collection of facts, however large and impressive, will expire as well. {But spiritual insight transcends death.} – Lao Tzu

Intelligence is not the same thing as wisdom. – Lao Tzu

Intelligent people know others. Enlightened people know themselves. – Lao Tzu

Is it not through her selflessness that she is able to perfect herself? – Lao Tzu

Is not the action of nature like the stretching of a bow? The high, it pulls down; the low, it lifts up; It takes from what is in excess In order to make good of what is deficient. Who can take what they have in excess and offer it to others? – Lao Tzu

Is not the space between Heaven and Earth like a bellows? It is empty, but lacks nothing. The more it moves, the more comes out of it. – Lao Tzu

It (Tao) is eternally without desire. So, it can be called small. All things return to it, although it does not make itself their ruler. So, it can be called great. – Lao Tzu

It is as though he listened and such listening as his enfolds us in silence in which at last we begin to hear what we are meant to be. – Lao Tzu

It is because every one tinder Heaven recognizes beauty as beauty that the idea of ugliness exists. – Lao Tzu

It is better not to make merit a matter of reward Lest people conspire and contend. – Lao Tzu

It is better to do one’s own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins. – Lao Tzu

It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. – Lao Tzu

It is the child that sees the primordial secret in Nature and it is the child of ourselves we return to. The child within us is simple and daring enough to live the Secret. – Lao Tzu

It is wisdom to know others. It is enlightenment to know oneself. – Lao Tzu

It’s hard to keep your balance standing tip-toe. – Lao Tzu

Just as the value of a house lies in its location, The value of a mind lies in its depth, The value of giving lies in the presence of a generous spirit, The value of words lies in their reliability. – Lao Tzu

Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there. – Lao Tzu

Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in. – Lao Tzu

Keeping plenty of gold and jade in the palace makes no one able to defend it. – Lao Tzu

Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by starting with it when small. – Lao Tzu

Learn from the people. Plan with the people. Begin with what they have. Build on what they know. – Lao Tzu

Learn to value what is important today in the subtle realm rather than what appears desirable tomorrow in the worldly realm. – Lao Tzu

Lessen selfishness and restrain desires. – Lao Tzu

Let muddy water stand and it will become clear. – Lao Tzu

Let people return to making knots on ropes, instead of writing. – Lao Tzu

Let people take death seriously, and not travel far. – Lao Tzu

Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few. – Lao Tzu

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. – Lao Tzu

Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results. – Lao Tzu

Letting the mind control the vital breath is called force. – Lao Tzu

Lightly given promises must meet with little trust. – Lao Tzu

Live simply and virtuously, true to your nature, drawing no line between what is spiritual and what is not. – Lao Tzu

Look, and it can’t be seen. Listen, and it can’t be heard. Reach, and it can’t be grasped. – Lao Tzu

Make your heart like a lake with a calm still surface and great depths of kindness. – Lao Tzu

Man at his birth is supple and tender, but in death, he is rigid and hard. Thus, suppleness and tenderness accompany life, but rigidity and hardness accompany death. – Lao Tzu

Man is ruled by Earth. Earth is ruled by Heaven. Heaven is ruled by the Way. The Way is ruled by itself. – Lao Tzu

Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is. – Lao Tzu

Man’s enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself. – Lao Tzu

Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires. – Lao Tzu

Man’s enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself. – Lao Tzu

Mask your brightness. Be at one with the dust of the earth. This is primal union. – Lao Tzu

Mastering others is strength. Mastering oneself makes you fearless. – Lao Tzu

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. – Lao Tzu

Misery is what happiness rests upon. Happiness is what misery lurks beneath. – Lao Tzu

Misfortune is the root of good fortune; good fortune gives birth to misfortune. – Lao Tzu

Moderation means prevention. Prevention means achieving much virtue. – Lao Tzu

Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful. – Lao Tzu

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. – Lao Tzu

My own words are not the medicine, but a prescription; not the destination, but a map to help you reach it. When you get there, quiet your mind and close your mouth. Don’t analyze the Tao. Strive instead to live it: silently, undividedly, with your whole harmonious being. – Lao Tzu

My teachings are easy to understand and easy to put into practice. Yet your intellect will never grasp them, and if you try to practice them, you’ll fail. My teachings are older than the world. How can you grasp their meaning? If you want to know me, look inside your heart. – Lao Tzu

My words are easy to understand and easy to perform, Yet no one under Heaven is able to know them or practice them. – Lao Tzu

My words are very easy to understand and very easy to practice; but there is no one in the world who is able to understand and practice them. – Lao Tzu

My words have an origin. My deeds have a sovereign. Truly, because people do not understand this, they do not understand me. – Lao Tzu

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. – Lao Tzu

Nature’s way is simple and easy, but men prefer the intricate and artificial. – Lao Tzu

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. – Lao Tzu

Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over the world. – Lao Tzu

No misfortune is worse than underestimating the enemy. Underestimating the enemy, I risk losing my treasure. – Lao Tzu

No thought, no action, no movement, total stillness: only thus can one manifest the true nature and law of things from within and unconsciously, and at last become one with heaven and earth. – Lao Tzu

Not all spiritual paths lead to the harmonious Oneness. Indeed, most are detours and distractions, nothing more. – Lao Tzu

Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things. – Lao Tzu

Nothing and no one in the world is valuable or worthless. – Lao Tzu

Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice. Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter his heart. Because he has given up helping, he is people’s greatest help. True words seem paradoxical. – Lao Tzu

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it. – Lao Tzu

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it. – Lao Tzu

Nothing is weaker than water, Yet for overcoming what is hard and strong, Nothing surpasses it. – Lao Tzu

Nothing on earth is so weak and yielding as water, but for breaking down the firm and strong it has no equal. – Lao Tzu

Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions. – Lao Tzu

Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature. – Lao Tzu

Of these two which is good and which is harmful? – Lao Tzu

On the one hand, loss implies gain; on the other hand, gain implies loss. – Lao Tzu

Once upon a time a man whose ax was missing suspected his neighbor’s son. The boy walked like a thief, looked like a thief and spoke like a thief. But the man found his ax while digging in the valley, and the next time he saw his neighbor’s son, the boy walked, looked and spoke like any other child. – Lao Tzu

Once you arrive {at a spontaneous awareness of the Great Oneness}, remember: it isn’t necessary to struggle to maintain unity with it. All you have to do is participate in it. – Lao Tzu

One who believes in himself has no need to convince others. – Lao Tzu

One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him. – Lao Tzu

One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things but moves in harmony with the present moment. – Lao Tzu

Only by working within the laws that govern the flow of water will happiness be achieved. – Lao Tzu

Only fools seek power, and the greatest fools seek it through force. – Lao Tzu

Only he who does not seek to be ahead of others is capable of living in harmony with everyone. – Lao Tzu

Only I am clumsy, like drifting on the waves of the sea, without direction. – Lao Tzu

Only those who leisurely approach that which the masses are busy about can be busy about that which the masses take leisurely. – Lao Tzu

Open yourself to the truth, then trust in your natural responses, and everything will fall into place. – Lao Tzu

Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe. – Lao Tzu

Other people are joyous, like on the feast of the ox, like on the way up to the terrace in the spring. I alone am inert, giving no sign, like a newborn baby who has not learned to smile. – Lao Tzu

Other people are occupied, I alone am unwilling, like the outcast. – Lao Tzu

Other people have more than they need, I alone seem wanting. – Lao Tzu

Our enemies are not demons, but human beings like ourselves. – Lao Tzu

Pain and happiness are simply conditions of the ego. Forget the ego. – Lao Tzu

Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. – Lao Tzu

Peace and quiet are preferred. Victory should not be praised. – Lao Tzu

Peacefulness is an inner sense of calm – it comes from becoming still – in order to reflect and meditate on our inner wisdom and receive answers. A peaceful heart is one that is free from worry and rouble. It’s becoming quiet so we can look at things quietly so we can more clearly understand them and thus come up with creative solutions. It is learning to live in the present. Freedom from desire leads to inner peace. – Lao Tzu

People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff. – Lao Tzu

People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern. – Lao Tzu

People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure. – Lao Tzu

People starve. The rulers consume too much with their taxes. That is why people starve. – Lao Tzu

People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly. – Lao Tzu

People turn their eyes and ears to him (the sage), and the sage cares for them like his own children. – Lao Tzu

People who have to fight for their living and are not afraid to die for it are higher persons than those who, stationed high, are too fat to dare to die. – Lao Tzu

Perfect kindness acts without thinking of kindness. – Lao Tzu

Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect. – Lao Tzu

Pots are formed from clay, but the empty space within it is the essence of the pot. – Lao Tzu

Pounding an edge to sharpness will not make it last. – Lao Tzu

Praise leads to weakness. Getting it causes fear, losing it causes fear. – Lao Tzu

Prepare for the difficult while it is still easy. Deal with the big while it is still small. Difficult undertakings have always started with what easy. Great undertakings always started with what is small. Therefore the sage never strives for the great,And thereby the great is achieved. – Lao Tzu

Pride attaches undue importance to the superiority of one’s status in the eyes of others; and shame is fear of humiliation at one’s inferior status in the estimation of others. When one sets one’s heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he or she is automatically involved in fear of losing status. – Lao Tzu

Profound virtue is indeed deep and wide. It leads all things back to the great order. – Lao Tzu

Purity and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven. – Lao Tzu

Quiet your mind and stop judging and resisting and manipulating the natural way. – Lao Tzu

Racing and hunting excite man’s heart to madness. – Lao Tzu

Racing through the field and hunting make the mind wild. – Lao Tzu

Realize thy Simple Self, Embrace thy Original Nature. – Lao Tzu

Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear. – Lao Tzu

Reputation should be neither sought nor avoided. – Lao Tzu

Respond to anger with virtue. Deal with difficulties while they are still easy. Handle the great while it is still small. – Lao Tzu

Return animosity with virtue. – Lao Tzu

Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature. The way of nature is unchanging. Knowing constancy is insight. – Lao Tzu

Returning to the source is stillness. It is returning to one’s fate. Returning to one’s fate is eternal. – Lao Tzu

Rituals are the end of fidelity and honesty, and the beginning of confusion. – Lao Tzu

Rule a kingdom as though you were cooking a small fish – don’t overdo it. – Lao Tzu

Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation. – Lao Tzu

Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe. – Lao Tzu

Sages do not accumulate for themselves. The more they give to others, the more they possess of their own. The way of Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure. – Lao Tzu

Seal the openings, shut the doors, and until your last day you will not be exhausted. Widen the openings, interfere, and until your last day you will not be safe. – Lao Tzu

Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness, untie the knots, dim the light, become one with the dust. This is called the profound union. – Lao Tzu

See others as yourself. See families as your family. See towns as your town. See countries as your country. See worlds as your world. – Lao Tzu

See simplicity in the complicated. Achieve greatness in little things. – Lao Tzu

Seeing the small is called Clarity. Keeping flexible is called Strength. Using the shining Radiance, You enter the Light, Where no harm can come to you. This is called Enlightenment. – Lao Tzu

Seek not happiness too greedily and be not fearful of happiness. – Lao Tzu

Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there. – Lao Tzu

She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without danger. She perceives the universal harmony, even amid great pain, because she has found peace in her heart. Music or the smell of good cooking may make people stop and enjoy. But words that point to the Tao seem monotonous and without flavor. When you look for it, there is nothing to see. When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear. When you use it, it is inexhaustible. – Lao Tzu

Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. – Lao Tzu

Simplicity has no name is free of desires. Being free of desires it is tranquil. And the world will be at peace of it’s own accord. – Lao Tzu

Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world. – Lao Tzu

Simply see that you are at the center of the universe, and accept all things and beings as parts of your infinite body. When you perceive that an act done to another is done to yourself, you have understood the great truth. – Lao Tzu

Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength. – Lao Tzu

Since before time and space were, the Tao is. It is beyond is and is not. – Lao Tzu

Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. Those who are skilled (in the Tao) do not dispute (about it); the disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know (the Tao) are not extensively learned; the extensively learned do not know it. – Lao Tzu

So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind; Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily; Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness; Sometimes one is up and sometimes down. Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complacency. – Lao Tzu

So the unwanting soul sees what’s hidden, and the ever-wanting soul sees only what it wants. – Lao Tzu

Softness triumphs over hardness, feebleness over strength. What is more malleable is always superior over that which is immoveable. This is the principle of controlling things by going along with them, of mastery through adaptation. – Lao Tzu

Solve it before it happens. Order it before chaos emerges. – Lao Tzu

Some have lavish garments, carry sharp swords, and feast on food and drink. They possess more than they can spend. This is called the vanity of robbers. It is certainly not the Way. – Lao Tzu

Some help others in order to receive blessings and admiration. This is simply meaningless. Some cultivate themselves in part to serve others, in part to serve their own pride. They will understand, at best, half of the truth. But those who improve themselves for the sake of the world – to these, the whole truth of the universe will be revealed. – Lao Tzu

Sometimes gain comes from losing, and sometimes loss comes from gaining. – Lao Tzu

Standing on “tip toe”, one stands not firmly. Straining in stride, one cannot walk far. Flaunting of deeds, one is unfavorably noticed. Being self-righteous, one is not respected. Boasting of self, one’s merit is unrecognized. Glorifying of self, one loses the opportunity for greatness. From the viewpoint of Tao These represent imperfect Te, Valued as are filth or disease. – Lao Tzu

Stay at the center and let all things take their course. – Lao Tzu

Stop leaving and you will arrive, Stop searching and you will see, Stop running away and you will be found. – Lao Tzu

Stop thinking, and end your problems. What difference between yes and no? What difference between success and failure? Must you value what others value, avoid what others avoid? How ridiculous! – Lao Tzu

Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself. – Lao Tzu

Stretch the bow to the very full, and you will wish you had stopped in time. – Lao Tzu

Strong winds do not last all morning, hard rains do not last all day. – Lao Tzu

Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear. – Lao Tzu

Supreme good is like water. Water greatly benefits all things, without conflict. It flows through places that people loathe. Thereby it is close to the Way. – Lao Tzu

Take care of what is difficult while it is still easy, and deal with what will become big while it is yet small. – Lao Tzu

Take care with the end as you do with the beginning. – Lao Tzu

Take time to listen to what is said without words, to obey the law too subtle to be written, to worship the unnameable and to embrace the unformed. – Lao Tzu

Take [preventive] action before things happen. Establish order before disorder has begun. – Lao Tzu

Taking things lightly must lead to big difficulties. – Lao Tzu

Tao in the world is like a river flowing home to the sea. – Lao Tzu

Tao invariably takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone. – Lao Tzu

Tao is beyond words and beyond understanding. Words may be used to speak of it, but they cannot contain it. Tao existed before words and names, before heaven and earth, before the ten thousand things. It is the unlimited father and mother of all limited things. Therefore, to see beyond boundaries to the subtle heart of things, dispense with names, with concepts, with expectations and ambitions and differences. Tao and its many manifestations arise from the same source: subtle wonder within mysterious darkness. This is the beginning of all understanding. – Lao Tzu

Tao loves and nourishes all things, but does not dominate it over them. – Lao Tzu

That so few understand me is why I am treasured. – Lao Tzu

That the soft overcomes the hard, and the yielding overcomes the resistant, is a fact known by all, but practiced by few. – Lao Tzu

That which is achieved the most, still has the whole of its future yet to be achieved. – Lao Tzu

That which offers no resistance can enter where there is no space. – Lao Tzu

That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances. – Lao Tzu

That which shrinks must first expand. – Lao Tzu

That, which others compress – will widen up and open. That, which others weaken – will strengthen. That, which others destroy – will blossom. Whoever wished to take something from the other, will inevitably loose his own. – Lao Tzu

The (method of) correction shall by a turn become distortion, and the good in it shall by a turn become evil. – Lao Tzu

The ancients said: Hulk to be whole. – Lao Tzu

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects. – Lao Tzu

The best of all teachers is the one who helps people so that eventually they don’t need him. – Lao Tzu

The best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not compete with them. It stays in lowly places that others reject. This is why it is so similar to the Way. – Lao Tzu

The best soldiers are not warlike; the best fighters do not lose their temper. The greatest conquerors are those who overcome their enemies without strife. The greatest directors of men are those who yield place to others. This is called the Virtue of not striving, the capacity for directing mankind; this is being the compeer of Heaven. It was the highest goal of the ancients. – Lao Tzu

The best way to carve is not to split. – Lao Tzu

The best way to live / is to be like water / For water benefits all things / and goes against none of them. – Lao Tzu

The best way to manage anything is by making use of its own nature. – Lao Tzu

The biggest in the world is small in its beginning. – Lao Tzu

The career of a sage is of two kinds: He is either honored by all in the world, Like a flower waving its head, Or else he disappears into the silent forest. – Lao Tzu

The cleansing of spiritual contamination is accomplished by offering one’s talent, resources, and life to the world. – Lao Tzu

The cords of passion and desire weave a binding net around you. Worldly confrontation makes you stiff and inflexible. The trap of duality is tenacious. Bound, rigid, and trapped, you cannot experience liberation. – Lao Tzu

The ego is entranced by … names and ideas… However names and concepts only block your perception of this Great Oneness. Therefore it is wise to ignore them. Those who live inside their egos are continually bewildered. – Lao Tzu

The Eternal generates the One. The One generates the Two. The Two generates the Three. The Three generates all things. – Lao Tzu

The eternal void is filled with infinite possibilities. – Lao Tzu

The eye with which you see God is the same eye with which God sees you; one in seeing; one in knowing; one in loving. – Lao Tzu

The female always surpasses the male with stillness. In her stillness she is yielding. – Lao Tzu

The feminine values are the fountain of bliss. Know the masculine, Keep to the feminine. – Lao Tzu

The first practice is the practice of undiscriminating virtue: take care of those who are deserving; also, and equally, take care of those who are not. When you extend your virtue in all directions without discriminating, you feet are firmly planted on the path that returns to the Tao. – Lao Tzu

The fish cannot leave the deep waters. The state’s weaponry should not be displayed. – Lao Tzu

The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long. – Lao Tzu

The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes. – Lao Tzu

The fourth (of the four cardinal virtues) is supportiveness: this manifests as service to others without expectation of reward. (Paraphrased: Such service is not a mere conforming to some external rule of behavior, but instead a manifestation of your original nature). – Lao Tzu

The generals have a saying: “Rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see. Rather than advance an inch it is better to retreat a yard.” This is called going forward without advancing, pushing back without using weapons. There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil. Thus you destroy your three treasures and become an enemy yourself. When two great forces oppose each other, the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield. – Lao Tzu

The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world. That which has no substance enters where there is no space. This shows the value of non-action. Teaching without words, performing without actions: that is the Master’s way. – Lao Tzu

The good man is the teacher of the bad, And the bad is the material from which the good may learn. He who does not value the teacher, Or greatly care for the material, Is greatly deluded although he may be learned. Such is the essential mystery. – Lao Tzu

The grandest virtue seems deficient. – Lao Tzu

The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right, all things depend on it to exist, and it does not abandon them. To its accomplishments it lays no claims. It loves and nourished all things, but does not lord it over them. – Lao Tzu

The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn’t create them. It pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim. It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn’t hold on to them. Since it is merged with all things and hidden in their hearts, it can be called humble. Since all things vanish into it and it alone endures, it can be called great. It isn’t aware of its greatness; thus it is truly great. – Lao Tzu

The great Way is all-pervading. It reaches to the left and to the right. All things depend on it with their existence. Still it demands no obedience. – Lao Tzu

The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao. – Lao Tzu

The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao. When rich speculators prosper While farmers lose their land; when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures; when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible while the poor have nowhere to turn- all this is robbery and chaos. It is not in keeping with the Tao. – Lao Tzu

The great Way is very straight, but people prefer to deviate. – Lao Tzu

The greatest teacher has nothing to say. He simply gives himself in service, and never worries. – Lao Tzu

The greatest virtue is to follow the Way utterly. – Lao Tzu

The hard and mighty lie beneath the ground While the tender and weak dance on the breeze above. – Lao Tzu

The hard and stiff are death’s companions. The soft and weak are life’s companions. – Lao Tzu

The heavy is the root of the light. The tranquil is the ruler of the hasty. – Lao Tzu

The heavy is the root of the light. The unmoved is the source of all movement. Thus the Master travels all day without leaving home. However splendid the views, she stays serenely in herself. Why should the lord of the country flit about like a fool? If you let yourself be blown to and fro, you lose touch with your root. If you let restlessness move you, you lose touch with who you are. – Lao Tzu

The high must make the low its base. – Lao Tzu

The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in honors. – Lao Tzu

The highest virtue does nothing. Yet, nothing needs to be done. The lowest virtue does everything. Yet, much remains to be done. – Lao Tzu

The highest virtue is not virtuous. Therefore it has virtue. The lowest virtue holds on to virtue. Therefore it has no virtue. – Lao Tzu

The inner is the foundation of the outer. The still is master of the restless. The Sage travels all day yet never leaves his inner treasure. – Lao Tzu

The integral being is attached to nothing and can relate to everyone with an unstructured attitude. Because of this, her very existence benefits all things. – Lao Tzu

The journey of a thousand leagues begins from beneath your feet. – Lao Tzu

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. – Lao Tzu

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness. – Lao Tzu

The liberation cannot be reached but by means of the perception of the identity of the individual spirit with the universal spirit. – Lao Tzu

The light of the Way seems dim. – Lao Tzu

The living are soft and yielding; the dead are rigid and stiff. Living plants are flexible and tender; the dead are brittle and dry. – Lao Tzu

The mark of a moderate man is freedom from his own ideas. Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a tree in the wind, he has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way. – Lao Tzu

The mature person perceives the fruitlessness of rigid, external methodologies; Remembering this, he keeps his attitude unstructured at all times and thus is always free to pursue the Integral Way. He studies the teachings of the masters. He dissolves all concepts of duality. He pours himself out in service to others. – Lao Tzu

The men who are great live with that which is substantial, they do not stay with that which is superficial; they abide with realities, they do not remain with what is showy. The one they discard, the other they hold. – Lao Tzu

The mind is desperate to fix the river {of events} in place: Possessed by ideas of the past, preoccupied with images of the future, it overlooks the plain truth of the moment. – Lao Tzu

The moment truth is asserted, it becomes false. – Lao Tzu

The more clever and cunning people are, the stranger the events will be. – Lao Tzu

The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be. – Lao Tzu

The more laws and orders are multiplied, the more theft and violence increase. – Lao Tzu

The more laws and restrictions there are, The poorer people become. – Lao Tzu

The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced. – Lao Tzu

The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people will be. The more laws are promulgated, the more thieves and bandits there will be. – Lao Tzu

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be. – Lao Tzu

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. – Lao Tzu

The more rules and regulations, The more thieves and robbers. – Lao Tzu

The more sharp weapons people have in a country, the bigger the disorder will be. – Lao Tzu

The more we give to others, the more we are increased. – Lao Tzu

The more weapons of violence, the more misery to mankind. The triumph of violence ends in a festival of mourning. – Lao Tzu

The most powerful weapon known is the weapon of blessing. Therefore, a clever person relies on it. He wins with peace, not with war. – Lao Tzu

The mystical techniques for achieving immortality are revealed only to those who have dissolved all ties to the gross worldly realm of duality, conflict, and dogma. As long as your shallow worldly ambitions exist, the door will not open. – Lao Tzu

The nameless is the beginning of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of all things. – Lao Tzu

The net of heaven is very wide in its meshes, and yet it misses nothing. – Lao Tzu

The noble must make humility his root. – Lao Tzu

The one who can dissolve her mind will suddenly discover the Tao at her feet. – Lao Tzu

The one who does not honor the teacher and the one who does not honor the task, although ever so knowledgeable, they are confused. – Lao Tzu

The one who does not stray away from her/his nature will live long. – Lao Tzu

The one who is conscious (in Tao) can’t speak. The one who can speak is not conscious (centered in Tao) – Lao Tzu

The one who is filled by virtue is like a newborn baby. – Lao Tzu

The one who rules like the mother lasts long. – Lao Tzu

The past has no power to stop you from being present now. Only your grievance about the past can do that. What is grievance? The baggage of old thought and emotion. – Lao Tzu

The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes. – Lao Tzu

The people starve because those above them eat too much tax-grain. That is the only reason why they starve. – Lao Tzu

The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine. – Lao Tzu

The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days. – Lao Tzu

The progress of the Way seems retreating. – Lao Tzu

The real art of governing consists, so far as possible, in doing nothing. – Lao Tzu

The real key to health and happiness and success is self knowledge. – Lao Tzu

The reality of the building does not consist in the roof and walls, but in the space within to be lived in. – Lao Tzu

The reason for great distress is the body. Without it, what distress could there be? – Lao Tzu

The reason why rivers and seas are able to be lords over a hundred mountain streams, is that they know how to keep below them. That is why they are able to reign over all the mountain streams. – Lao Tzu

The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms. – Lao Tzu

The rigid and big belong below. The soft and weak belong above. – Lao Tzu

The river and the sea can be kings of a hundred valleys, because they lie below them. – Lao Tzu

The road you can talk about is not the road you can walk on. – Lao Tzu

The ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people. – Lao Tzu

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete. – Lao Tzu

The scholar gains every day; the man of Tao loses every day. – Lao Tzu

The seed of mystery lies in muddy water. How can I perceive this mystery? Water becomes clear through stillness. How can I become still? By flowing with the stream. – Lao Tzu

The sense organs, which are limited in scope and ability, randomly gather information. This partial information is arranged into judgments, which are based on previous judgments, which are usually based on someone else’s foolish ideas. These false concepts and ideas are then stored in a highly selective memory system. – Lao Tzu

The sharper men’s weapons, the more trouble in the land. The more ingenious and clever men, the more strange things happen. – Lao Tzu

The skillful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels. – Lao Tzu

The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. A victory should be celebrated with the funeral rite. – Lao Tzu

The small is easy to scatter. – Lao Tzu

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself. – Lao Tzu

The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong. – Lao Tzu

The softest in the world surpasses the hardest in the world. – Lao Tzu

The softest of stuff in the world, penetrates quickly the hardest, insubstantial, it enters where there is no room. – Lao Tzu

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. Through this I know the advantage of taking no action. – Lao Tzu

The subtlest of subtleties, this is the gateway to all mysteries. – Lao Tzu

The superior student listens to the Way and follows it closely. The average student listens to the Way and follows some and some not. The lesser student listens to the Way and laughs out loud. If there were no laughter it would not be the Way. – Lao Tzu

The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you. – Lao Tzu

The supreme rulers are hardly known by their subjects. The lesser are loved and praised. The even lesser are feared. The least are despised. – Lao Tzu

The Tao can’t be perceived. Smaller than an electron, it contains uncountable galaxies. If powerful men and women could remain centered in the Tao, all things would be in harmony. The world would become a paradise. All people would be at peace, and the law would be written in their hearts. When you have names and forms, know that they are provisional. When you have institutions, know where their functions should end. Knowing when to stop, you can avoid any danger. All things end in the Tao as rivers flow into the sea. – Lao Tzu

The Tao doesn’t take sides; it gives birth to both good and evil. The Master doesn’t take sides; she welcomes both saints and sinners. The Tao is like a bellows: it is empty yet infinitely capable. The more you use it, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you understand. Hold on to the center. – Lao Tzu

The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things. All things have their backs to the female and stand facing the male. When male and female combine, all things achieve harmony. Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe. – Lao Tzu

The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to yin and yang. Yin and yang give birth to all things… The complete whole is the complete whole. So also is any part the complete whole… But forget about understanding and harmonizing and making all things one. The universe is already a harmonious oneness; just realize it. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is always at ease. It overcomes without competing, answers without speaking a word, arrives without being summoned, accomplishes without a plan. Its net covers the whole universe. And though its meshes are wide, it doesn’t let a thing slip through. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is always present and always available. . . . If you are willing to be lived by it, you will see it everywhere, even in the most ordinary things. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is great. The universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great. These are the four great powers. Man follows the earth. Earth follows the universe. The universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for all beings. The Master stays behind; that is why she is ahead. She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them. Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is like a well; used but never used up. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is nowhere to be found. Yet it nourishes and completes all things. – Lao Tzu

The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man’s treasure, the bad man’s refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect can be won with good deeds; but the Tao is beyond all value, and no one can achieve it. Thus, when a new leader is chosen, don’t offer to help him with your wealth or your expertise. Offer instead to teach him about the Tao. Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao? Because, being one with the Tao, when you seek, you find; and when you make a mistake, you are forgiven. That is why everybody loves it. – Lao Tzu

– Lao TzuThe Tao is unpredictable to those that live according to plans. Only those who have no agenda are in harmony with the Tao. – Lao Tzu

The Tao never acts with force, yet there is nothing that it can not do. – Lao Tzu

The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done. If powerful men and women could venter themselves in it, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace. – Lao Tzu

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness. – Lao Tzu

The ten thousand things flourish and then each returns to the root from which it came. Returning to the root is stillness. Through stillness each fulfils its destiny. – Lao Tzu

The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return. – Lao Tzu

The things that have acquired unity are these: Heaven by unity has become clear; Earth by unity has become steady; The Spirit by unity has become spiritual; The Valley by unity has become full; All things by unity have come into existence. – Lao Tzu

The transformation toward eternal life is gradual. The heavy gross energy of body, mind, and spirit must first be purified and uplifted. When the energy ascends… then self mastery can be sought. – Lao Tzu

The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout. – Lao Tzu

The tree which needs two arms to span its girth sprang from the tiniest shoot. Yon tower, nine stories high, rose from a little mound of earth. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

The True Person avoids extremes, self-indulgence, and extravagance. – Lao Tzu

The True Person benefits yet expects no reward, does the work and moves on. There is no desire to be considered better than others. – Lao Tzu

The True Person governs by emptying the heart of desire and filling the belly with food, weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.The truly great man dwells on what is real and not what is on the surface. – Lao Tzu

The truly great man dwells on what is real and not what is on the surface. – Lao Tzu

The truly great ones rely on substance, and not on surface, hold on to the fruit, and not to the flower. – Lao Tzu

The truly wise are content to be last. They are, therefore, first. They are indifferent to themselves. They are, therefore self-confident. – Lao Tzu

The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth. – Lao Tzu

The truth often sounds paradoxical. – Lao Tzu

The universe is deathless; Is deathless because, having no finite self, it stays infinite. A sound man by not advancing himself stays the further ahead of himself, By not confining himself to himself sustains himself outside himself: By never being an end in himself he endlessly becomes himself. – Lao Tzu

The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness. – Lao Tzu

The usefulness of the pot lies in its emptiness. – Lao Tzu

The valley spirit never dies. It is called the mystical female. – Lao Tzu

The value comes from what is there, but the use comes from what is not there. – Lao Tzu

The value of teaching without words and accomplishing without action is understood by few in the world. – Lao Tzu

The very highest is barely known. Then comes that which people know and love, Then that which is feared, Then that which is despised. Who does not trust enough will not be trusted. – Lao Tzu

The virtuous carry out the settlement, but those without virtue pursue their claims. – Lao Tzu

The Way begets one; one begets two; two begets three; three begets the myriad creatures. – Lao Tzu

The Way is empty, yet inexhaustible, like an abyss! – Lao Tzu

The Way is eternal. Until your last day, you are free from peril. – Lao Tzu

The Way is ever without action, yet nothing is left undone. – Lao Tzu

The Way is hidden and nameless. Still only the Way nourishes and completes. – Lao Tzu

The way is light and fluid for the man with no preferences. – Lao Tzu

The Way is the source of all things, good people’s treasure and bad people’s refuge. – Lao Tzu

The Way of Heaven does not complete, and yet it skillfully achieves victory. It does not speak, and yet it skillfully responds to things. It comes to you without your invitation. – Lao Tzu

The way of heaven is to help and not harm. – Lao Tzu

The Way of Tao is this: It strives not, but conquers; It speaks not, but all is made clear; It summons not, but its house is crowded; It contrives not, but the design is perfect. – Lao Tzu

The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete. – Lao Tzu

The Way that can be walked is not the eternal Way. – Lao Tzu

The Way to Heaven has no favorites. It is always with the good man. – Lao Tzu

The weak overcomes the strong. The soft overcomes the hard. Everybody in the world knows this, still nobody makes use of it. – Lao Tzu

The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos. – Lao Tzu

The whole world says that my Way is great like nothing else. It is great because it is like nothing else. If it were like everything else, it would long ago have become insignificant. – Lao Tzu

The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own. – Lao Tzu

The Wise Man is square but not sharp, honest but not not malign, straight but not severe, bright but not dazzling. – Lao Tzu

The words of truth are always paradoxical. – Lao Tzu

The words of truth are always paradoxical. To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. – Lao Tzu

The world belongs to those who let go. – Lao Tzu

The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it. – Lao Tzu

The world is a sacred vessel. It should not be meddled with. It should not be owned. If you try to meddle with it you will ruin it. If you try to own it you will lose it. – Lao Tzu

The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering. – Lao Tzu

The world may be known Without leaving the house. – Lao Tzu

The world’s big things only can be done by paying attention to their humble beginnings. – Lao Tzu

There are many paths to enlightenment. Be sure to take the one with a heart. – Lao Tzu

There are three layers to the universe. In the lower, Tai Ching, and the middle, Shan Ching, the hindrance of a physical bodily existence is required. Those who fail to live consistently in accord with the Tao reside here. In the upper, Yu Ching, there is only Tao: the bondage of form is broken, and the only thing existing is the exquisite energy dance of the immortal divine beings. – Lao Tzu

There is a big misunderstanding about the idea of naturalness. Most people who come to us believing in some freedom or naturalness, but their understanding is what we call [heretical naturalness] … a kind of “let-alone policy” or sloppiness… For a plant or stone to be natural is no problem. But for us there is some problem, indeed a big problem. To be natural is something we must work on. – Lao Tzu

There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted. It may be regarded as the Mother of the Universe. I do not know its name. If I am forced to give It a name, I call it Tao, and I name it as supreme. – Lao Tzu

There is a time to go ahead and a time to stay behind. There is a time to breathe easy and time to breathe hard. There is a time to be vigorous and a time to be gentle. There is a time to gather and a time to release. Can you see things as they are And let them be all on their own? – Lao Tzu

There is a time to live and a time to die but never to reject the moment. – Lao Tzu

There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. There is no greater guilt than discontent. And there is no greater disaster than greed. – Lao Tzu

There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war. – Lao Tzu

There is no disaster greater than not being content; there is no misfortune greater than being covetous. – Lao Tzu

There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent. – Lao Tzu

There is no greater fault than sensual indulgence. There is no greater misfortune than malcontent. There is no greater calamity than greed. – Lao Tzu

There is no greater mistake than to make light of an enemy By making light of an enemy many a kingdom has been lost. – Lao Tzu

There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more. – Lao Tzu

There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. – Lao Tzu

There is no need to run outside for better seeing… Rather abide at the center of your being; For the more you leave it the less you learn. Search your heart and see… The way to do is to be. – Lao Tzu

There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, yet for attacking things that are hard and strong there is nothing that surpasses it, nothing that can take its place. – Lao Tzu

There is nothing softer and weaker than water, and yet there is nothing better for attacking hard and strong things. – Lao Tzu

There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands. – Lao Tzu

There is something obscure which is complete before heaven and earth arose; tranquil, quiet, standing alone without change, moving without peril. It could be the mother of everything. Not knowing its name, I call it Tao. – Lao Tzu

There was something formless and perfect before the universe was born. It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present. It is the mother of the universe. For lack of a better name, I call it the Tao. It flows through all things, inside and outside, and returns to the origin of all things. The Tao is great. The universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great. These are the four great powers. Man follows the earth. Earth follows the universe. The universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself. – Lao Tzu

There was something that finished chaos, born before Heaven and Earth. – Lao Tzu

There was something undifferentiated and yet complete, which existed before Heaven and Earth. Soundless and formless, it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger. It may be considered the mother of the universe. I do not know its name; I call it Tao. – Lao Tzu

Therefore the Sage embraces Unity, and is a model for all under Heaven. He is free from self-display, therefore he shines forth; from self-assertion, therefore he is distinguished; from self-glorification, therefore he has merit; from self-exaltation, therefore he rises superior to all. Inasmuch as he does not strive, there is no one in the world who can strive with him. – Lao Tzu

Therefore the Sage, wishing to be above the people, must by his words put himself below them; wishing to be before the people, he must put himself behind them. In this way, though he has his place above them, the people do not feel his weight; though he has his place before them, they do not feel it as an injury. Therefore all mankind delight to exalt him, and weary of him not. – Lao Tzu

Therefore the stiff and unbending is the disciple of death. The gentle and yielding is the disciple of life. – Lao Tzu

Therefore, if a great kingdom humbles itself before a small kingdom, it shall make that small kingdom its prize. And if a small kingdom humbles itself before a great kingdom, it shall win over that great kingdom. Thus the one humbles itself in order to attain, the other attains because it is humble. If the great kingdom has no further desire than to bring men together and to nourish them, the small kingdom will have no further desire than to enter the service of the other. But in order that both may have their desire, the great one must learn humility. – Lao Tzu

Therefore: In dwelling, choose modest quarters, in thinking, value stillness, in dealing with others, be kind, in choosing words, be sincere, in leading, be just, in working, be competent, in acting, choose the correct timing. Follow these words and there will be no error. – Lao Tzu

These are notions of the mind, which is like a knife, always chipping away at the Tao, trying to render it graspable and manageable. But that which is beyond form is ungraspable, and that which is beyond knowing is unmanageable. There is, however, this consolation: She who lets go of the knife will find the Tao at her fingertips. – Lao Tzu

These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble. – Lao Tzu

These three are your greatest treasures. – Lao Tzu

They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another. – Lao Tzu

They grow and flourish and then return to the source. – Lao Tzu

Things are not worth attending to, yet they have to be attended to. – Lao Tzu

Things exalted then decay. This is going against the Way. What goes against the Way meets an early end. – Lao Tzu

Thirty spokes are joined in the wheel’s hub. The hole in the middle makes it useful. – Lao Tzu

Thirty spokes meet in the hub, but the empty space between them is the essence of the wheel. – Lao Tzu

Thirty spokes meet in the hub. Where a wheel isn’t is where it’s useful. Hollowed out, clay makes a pot. Where the pots not is where it’s useful. Cut doors and windows to make a room. Where the room isn’t, there’s room for you. So the profit in what is, is in the use of what isn’t. – Lao Tzu

Thorn bushes grow where armies have camped. – Lao Tzu

Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose. – Lao Tzu

Those who advice the ruler on the Way, do not want the world subdued with weapons. – Lao Tzu

Those who are content suffer no disgrace. – Lao Tzu

Those who are highly evolved, maintain an undiscriminating perception. Seeing everything, labeling nothing, they maintain their awareness of the Great Oneness. Thus they are supported by it. – Lao Tzu

Those who are one with deprivation are deprived of deprivation. – Lao Tzu

Those who are quiet value the words. When their task is completed, people will say: We did it ourselves. – Lao Tzu

Those who are right do not argue. Those who argue are not right. – Lao Tzu

Those who are self-righteous are not prominent. – Lao Tzu

Those who defeat others are strong, those who defeat themselves are mighty. – Lao Tzu

Those who die without being forgotten get longevity. – Lao Tzu

Those who do not trust enough should not be trusted. – Lao Tzu

Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will be safe. Heaven will rescue and protect them with compassion. – Lao Tzu

Those who have the courage to dare will perish. Those who have the courage not to dare will live. – Lao Tzu

Those who make their living by collecting taxes cause the people to starve; when the people starve, the tax collectors, having no one to tax, starve also. – Lao Tzu

Those who of old were good practicers of Tao did not use it to make people bright, but rather used it to make them simple. – Lao Tzu

Those who praise themselves do not prevail. – Lao Tzu

Those who praise victory relish manslaughter. Those who relish manslaughter cannot reach their goals in the world. – Lao Tzu

Those who understand others are clever, those who understand themselves are wise. – Lao Tzu

Those who would take over the earth and shape it to their will, never, I notice succeed. – Lao Tzu

Though (the Tao) is uncreated itself, it creates all things. Because it has no substance, it can enter into where there is no space. Exercising by returning to itself, winning victories by remaining gentle and yielding, it is softer than anything, and therefore overcomes everything hard. – Lao Tzu

Though tightly the net of words forms, how surely truth slips out. – Lao Tzu

Through return to simple living comes control of desires. In control of desires stillness is attained. In stillness the world is restored. – Lao Tzu

Throw away holiness and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times happier. Throw away morality and justice, and people will do the right thing. Throw away industry and profit, and there won’t be any thieves. If these three aren’t enough, just stay at the center of the circle and let all things take their course. – Lao Tzu

Throw away profit and greed, and there won’t be any thieves. – Lao Tzu

Throw away sacredness and wisdom and people will be one hundred times happier. – Lao Tzu

Thus an army without flexibility never wins a battle. A tree that is unbending is easily broken. – Lao Tzu

Thus it is that “Some things are increased by being diminished, others are diminished by being increased.” What others have taught, I also teach; verily, I will make it the root of my teaching. – Lao Tzu

Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to. – Lao Tzu

To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. – Lao Tzu

To attain to the human form must always be a source of joy. And then to undergo continuous transitions, with only the infinite to look forward to: what incomparable bliss is that! – Lao Tzu

To avoid disappointment, know what is sufficient. To avoid trouble, know when to stop. If you are able to do this, you will last a long time. – Lao Tzu

To be brave without compassion, generous without moderation, and rule without refraining from being first in the world, are certain deaths. – Lao Tzu

To be constantly without desire is the way to have a vision of the mystery of heaven and earth. For constantly to have desire is the means by which their limitations are seen. – Lao Tzu

To be learned, add something each day. To be enlightened drop something each day. – Lao Tzu

To be worn out is to be renewed. – Lao Tzu

To bear and not to own; to act and not lay claim; to do the work and let it go: for just letting it go is what makes it stay. – Lao Tzu

To bear the country’s disgrace is to rule the shrines of soil and grain. To bear the country’s misfortunes is to be the king of the world. – Lao Tzu

To become learned, each day add something. To become enlightened, each day drop something. – Lao Tzu

To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will in the kingdom. – Lao Tzu

To practice virtue is to selflessly offer assistance to others, giving without limitation one’s time, abilities, and possessions in service, whenever and wherever needed, without prejudice concerning the identity of those in need. – Lao Tzu

To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; not to realize that you do not understand is a defect. – Lao Tzu

To rejoice in conquest is to rejoice in murder. – Lao Tzu

To retreat after a work well done is Heaven’s Way. – Lao Tzu

To see things in the seed, that is genius. – Lao Tzu

To the good I would be good; to the not-good I would also be good, in order to make them good. – Lao Tzu

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. – Lao Tzu

To understand the limitation of things, desire them. – Lao Tzu

Too much success is not an advantage. Do not tinkle like jade Or clatter like stone chimes. – Lao Tzu

Treat the large as the small and the few as the many. – Lao Tzu

Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained. – Lao Tzu

True humility involves opposites. The truly humble work in silence. Because they do not speak of their accomplishments, credit for them can never be taken away. – Lao Tzu

True perfection seems imperfect, yet it is perfectly itself. True fullness seems empty, yet it is fully present. True straightness seems crooked. True wisdom seems foolish. True art seems artless. The Master allows things to happen. She shapes events as they come. She steps out of the way and lets the Tao speak for itself. – Lao Tzu

Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation. – Lao Tzu

Trustable words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not trustable. – Lao Tzu

Truth sounds paradoxical! – Lao Tzu

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good. – Lao Tzu

Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it. – Lao Tzu

Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter’s place. When you handle the master carpenter’s tools, chances are that you’ll cut your hand. – Lao Tzu

Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Be still and allow the mud to settle. – Lao Tzu

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil. Therefore having and not having arise together. Difficult and easy complement each other. Long and short contrast each other. High and low rest upon each other. Voice and sound harmonize each other. Front and back follow one another. – Lao Tzu

Understand this if nothing else: spiritual freedom and oneness with the Tao are not randomly bestowed gifts, but the rewards of conscious self-transformation and self-evolution. – Lao Tzu

Use justice to rule a country. Use surprise to wage war. Use non-action to govern the world. – Lao Tzu

Use the Light that dwells within you to regain your natural clarity of sight. – Lao Tzu

Use the light that is in you to recover your natural clearness of sight. – Lao Tzu

Use your own light and return to the source of light. This is called practicing eternity. – Lao Tzu

Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. – Lao Tzu

Virtue in its grandest aspect is neither more nor less than following reason. – Lao Tzu

Walls with windows and doors form the house, but the empty space within it is the essence of the home. – Lao Tzu

Warriors say: I dare not be like the host, but would rather be like the guest. I dare not advance an inch, but would rather retreat a foot. – Lao Tzu

Wasting energy to obtain rare objects only impedes one’s growth. – Lao Tzu

Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habit. – Lao Tzu

Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny. – Lao Tzu

Water benefits the ten thousand things and does not oppose them. – Lao Tzu

Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong. – Lao Tzu

Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness. – Lao Tzu

We are all capable of much more than we think we are. – Lao Tzu

We desire to understand the world by giving names to the things we see, but these things are only the effects of something subtle. – Lao Tzu

We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it liveable. – Lao Tzu

We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move. We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want. We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it livable. We work with being, but non-being is what we use. – Lao Tzu

We put thirty spokes to make a wheel: But it is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges. We make a vessel from a lump of clay; But it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful. We make doors and windows for a room; But it is the empty spaces that make the room livable. Thus, while existence has advantages, It is the emptiness that makes it useful. – Lao Tzu

Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man’s tools. He uses them only when he has no choice. – Lao Tzu

Weapons are not proper instruments for gentle people; they use them only when they have no other choice. Peace and quiet are what they value. They do not glory in victory. – Lao Tzu

Weapons are ominous tools. They are abhorred by all creatures. Anyone who follows the Way shuns them. – Lao Tzu

Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler’s tools. He only uses them when he can’t avoid it. – Lao Tzu

Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them. Weapons are the tools of fear; a decent man will avoid them except in the direst necessity and, if compelled, will use them only with the utmost restraint. Peace is his highest value. If the peace has been shattered, how can he be content? His enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself. He doesn’t wish them personal harm. Nor does he rejoice in victory. How could he rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men? He enters a battle gravely, with sorrow and with great compassion, as if he were attending a funeral. – Lao Tzu

What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear? – Lao Tzu

What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure? Whether you go up the ladder or down it, your position is shaky. – Lao Tzu

What has no substance can penetrate what has no opening.

What has not yet emerged is easy to prevent. – Lao Tzu

What Heaven detests, who knows why? Even the sage considers it difficult. – Lao Tzu

What is a good man but a bad man’s teacher? What is a bad man but a good man’s job? If you do not remember this, You will get lost, No matter how intelligent you are. It is the great secret. – Lao Tzu

What is a good man but a bad man’s teacher. What is a bad man but a good man’s job. – Lao Tzu

What is a good man? A teacher of a bad man. What is a bad man? A good man’s charge? – Lao Tzu

What is and what is not create each other. – Lao Tzu

What is firmly rooted cannot be pulled out – Lao Tzu

What is strong and rigid is snapped and laid low. What is flexible and soft will always prevail. – Lao Tzu

What is well planted will not be uprooted. – Lao Tzu

What is well rooted cannot be pulled up. What is firmly grasped will not slip loose. It will be honoured from generation to generation. – Lao Tzu

What makes a kingdom great is its being like a down-flowing river,–the central point towards which all the smaller streams under Heaven converge; or like the female throughout the world, who by quiescence always overcomes the male. And quiescence is a form of humility. – Lao Tzu

What man has more than enough and gives it to the world? Only the man of Tao. – Lao Tzu

What people loathe the most is to be orphaned, desolate, unworthy. But this is what princes and kings call themselves. – Lao Tzu

What should be shrunken must first be stretched. – Lao Tzu

What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly. – Lao Tzu

What the Way is to the world, the stream is to the river and the sea. – Lao Tzu

What’s the difference between beautiful and ugly? – Lao Tzu

What’s the difference between yes and no? – Lao Tzu

Whatever is flexible and living will tend to grow; whatever is rigid and blocked will wither and die. – Lao Tzu

Whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. What is soft is strong. – Lao Tzu

Whatever one cultivates, is what one becomes. – Lao Tzu

When a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors. When a country goes counter to the Tao, warheads are stockpiled outside the cities. There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy. Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe. – Lao Tzu

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish. – Lao Tzu

When armies are mobilized and issues joined, the man who is sorry over the fact will always win. – Lao Tzu

When good thing are accomplished, it does not claim (or name) them. This is Te, which is close in meaning to power or virtue. It is something within a person, and it is enhanced by following the Tao, or ‘that from which nothing can deviate’. – Lao Tzu

When his (the good ruler’s) task is accomplished and his work done, The people all say, “It happened to us naturally. – Lao Tzu

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. – Lao Tzu

When many people are killed, they should be mourned and lamented. Those who are victorious in war should follow the rites of funerals. – Lao Tzu

When men lost their understanding of the Tao, intelligence came along, bringing hypocrisy with it. – Lao Tzu

When merit has been achieved, do not take it to yourself; for if you do not take it to yourself, it shall never be taken from you. – Lao Tzu

When one gives whatever one can without restraint, the barriers of individuality break down. It no longer becomes possible to tell whether it is the student offering himself to the teacher, or the teacher offering herself to the student. One sees only two immaculate beings, reflecting one another like a pair of brilliant mirrors. – Lao Tzu

When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and after follow each other. Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn’t possess, acts but doesn’t expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever. – Lao Tzu

When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people’s hearts. – Lao Tzu

When superior people hear of the Way, they carry it out with diligence. When middling people hear of the Way, it sometimes seems to be there, sometimes not. When lesser people hear of the Way, they ridicule it greatly. If they didn’t laugh at it, it wouldn’t be the Way. – Lao Tzu

When taxes are too high, people go hungry. When the government is too intrusive, people lose their spirit. Act for the people’s benefit. Trust them; leave them alone. – Lao Tzu

When the ancient Masters said, “If you want to be given everything, give everything up,” they weren’t using empty phrases. Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly yourself. – Lao Tzu

When the emperor is crowned or the three dukes are appointed, rather than sending a gift of jade carried by four horses, remain still and offer the Way. – Lao Tzu

When the government is quite unobtrusive, people are indeed pure. When the government is quite prying, people are indeed conniving. – Lao Tzu

When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise. – Lao Tzu

When the great Tao is forgotten, goodness and piety appear. When the body’s intelligence declines, cleverness and knowledge step forth. When there is no peace in the family, filial piety begins. When the country falls into chaos, patriotism is born. – Lao Tzu

When the highest type of people hear Tao (Truth), they diligently practice it. When the average type of people hear Tao, they half believe in it. When the lowest type of people hear Tao, they laugh at it. If they did not laugh, it would not be Tao. – Lao Tzu

When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating. – Lao Tzu

When the palace is magnificent, the fields are filled with weeds, and the granaries are empty. – Lao Tzu

When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready… The teacher will disappear. – Lao Tzu

When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head. – Lao Tzu

When the Way governs the world, the proud stallions drag dung carriages. When the Way is lost to the world, war horses are bred outside the city. – Lao Tzu

When the Way is lost there is virtue. When virtue is lost there is benevolence. When benevolence is lost there is righteousness. When righteousness is lost there are rituals. – Lao Tzu

When the world is ruled according to the Way, the ghosts lose their power. The ghosts do not really lose their power, but it is not used to harm people. – Lao Tzu

When the worst student hears about the Way, he laughs out loud. If he did not laugh, it would be unworthy of being the Way. – Lao Tzu

When there is silence one finds the anchor of the universe within oneself. – Lao Tzu

When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion. When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won’t be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn. – Lao Tzu

When two opposing sides meet in battle, the one without an enemy will be victorious. – Lao Tzu

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder. – Lao Tzu

When wealth and honors lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself. – Lao Tzu

When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind them: the creative, transformative, boundless, immutable Tao. – Lao Tzu

When you are at one with loss, the loss is experienced willingly. – Lao Tzu

When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you. – Lao Tzu

When you extend your goodwill in every direction, regardless of circumstances, you begin to see that we are all one. – Lao Tzu

When you find the way/ others will find you./ Passing by on the road/ they will be drawn to your door./ The way that cannot be heard/ will be echoed in your voice./ The way that cannot be seen/ will be reflected in your eyes. – Lao Tzu

When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven. – Lao Tzu

When you let go of what you are, you become what you might be. – Lao Tzu

When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance. What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear? Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don’t see the self as self, what do we have to fear? – Lao Tzu

Who can enjoy enlightenment and remain indifferent to suffering in the world? This is not in keeping with the Way. Only those who increase their service along with their understanding can be called men and women of Tao. – Lao Tzu

Who can wait quietly until the mud settles? Who can remain still until the moment of action? – Lao Tzu

Who has excess and supplies the world? Only the one who follows the Way. – Lao Tzu

Who is there who can make muddy waters clear? But if allowed to remain still, it will gradually clear itself. – Lao Tzu

Who is unhappy with little, won’t be with much; who doesn’t appreciate the small won’t be able to take care of the large; who doesn’t have enough with enough is at the margin or virtue, for the physical body lives from one day to another and if it gets what it really needs, there will be time for meditation, as long as if we try to give it everything it desires, endless will be the task. – Lao Tzu

Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up. Whoever embraces the Tao will not slip away. Her name will be held in honor from generation to generation. Let the Tao be present in your life and you will become genuine. Let it be present in your family and your family will flourish. Let it be present in your country and your country will be an example to all countries in the world. Let it be present in the universe and the universe will sing. How do I know this is true? By looking inside myself. – Lao Tzu

Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn’t try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every force there is a counterforce. Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. The Master does his job and then stops. He understands that the universe is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao. Because he believes in himself, he doesn’t try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn’t need others’ approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him. – Lao Tzu

Why are people rebellious? – Because those above them meddle in their lives That’s why they’re rebellious. – Lao Tzu

Why are the people rebellious? Because the rulers interfere too much. Therefore they are rebellious. – Lao Tzu

Why are the people starving?- Because their grain is being eaten up by the taxes That’s why they’re starving. – Lao Tzu

Why did the ancients praise the Way? Did they not say it was because you find what you seek and are saved from your wrongdoings? – Lao Tzu

Why do people regard death so lightly?- Because they are so involved with their own living That’s why they regard death so lightly. – Lao Tzu

Why is the tao so valuable? Because it is everywhere, and everyone can use it. This is why those who seek will find, And those who reform will be forgiven; Why the good will be rewarded, And the thief who is cunning will escape. – Lao Tzu

Why not simply honor your parents, love your children, help your brothers and sisters, be faithful to your friends, care for your mate with devotion, complete your work cooperatively and joyfully, assume responsibility for problems, practice virtue without first demanding it of others, understand the highest truths yet retain an ordinary manner? That would be true clarity, true simplicity, true mastery. – Lao Tzu

With few there is attainment. With much there is confusion. – Lao Tzu

With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal; shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a vessel of the highest honour. – Lao Tzu

With virtue and quietness one may conquer the world. – Lao Tzu

Without desire there is stillness, and the world settles by itself. – Lao Tzu

Without the tao, Kindness and compassion are replaced by law and justice; Faith and trust are supplanted by ritual and ceremony. – Lao Tzu

Words spoken about the Way have no taste. When looked at, there’s not enough to see. When listened to, there’s not enough to hear. When used, it is never exhausted. – Lao Tzu

Worlds and particles, bodies and beings, time and space: All are transient expressions of the Tao. – Lao Tzu

Would you like to save the world from the degradation and destruction it seems destined for? Then step away from shallow mass movements and quietly go to work on your own self-awareness. If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation. – Lao Tzu

Yet mystery and imagination arise from the same source. This source is called darkness … Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding. – Lao Tzu

Yield and overcome; Bend and be straight; Empty and be full; Wear out and be new; Have little and gain; Have much and be confused. …The ancients say, “Yield and overcome.” Is that an empty saying? Be really whole, And all things will come to you. – Lao Tzu

You cannot receive what you don’t give. Outflow determines inflow. – Lao Tzu

You should rule a great country As you would fry a small fish- With the least turning. – Lao Tzu

You will understand a great truth when you get to realize that what you do to others, you are doing to yourself. – Lao Tzu

Your name or your body, what is dearer? Your body or your wealth, what is worthier? – Lao Tzu

Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes

Lao Tzu Quotes On Life

A man is born gentle and weak. At death, he is hard and stiff. Green plants are tender and filled with sap. At death, they are withered and dry. Therefore, the stiff and unbending is the disciple of death, and the gentle and yielding is the disciple of life. – Lao Tzu

All men desire to free themselves solely from death; they do not know how to free themselves from life. – Lao Tzu

All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry. – Lao Tzu

Approach it and there is no beginning; follow it and there is no end. You can’t know it, but you can be it, at ease in your own life. Just realize where you come from: this is the essence of wisdom. – Lao Tzu

Approach your own inner life with a loving quality that accepts who you are without trying to change who you are. – Lao Tzu

Appropriate rituals channel your emotions and life energy toward the light. Without the discipline to practice them, you will tumble constantly backward into darkness. – Lao Tzu

Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream. – Lao Tzu

Be content with an ordinary life. – Lao Tzu

Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short and long, life and death? Can you let go of all these dualities and embrace the Tao without skepticism or panic? If so, you can reach the heart of the Integral Oneness. – Lao Tzu

Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can. I wish you Happy New Year and diary full of best stories ever written in your life. – Lao Tzu

Everything under heaven is a sacred vessel and cannot be controlled. Trying to control leads to ruin. Trying to grasp, we lose. Allow your life to unfold naturally. Know that it too is a vessel of perfection. Just as you breathe in and breathe out, there is a time for being ahead and a time for being behind; a time for being in motion and a time for being at rest; a time for being vigorous and a time for being exhausted; a time for being safe and a time for being in danger. – Lao Tzu

Great acts are made up of small deeds. – Lao Tzu

Having reached a high level of realization (or having accomplished anything in life), don’t get excited or puffed up with pride but remain calm, humble, and in “perfect equanimity” if you want to continue in this deep state of consciousness. – Lao Tzu

Hold on to the center and make up your mind to rejoice in this paradise called life. – Lao Tzu

How can a man’s life keep it’s course If he will not let it flow, Those who flow as life flows know They need no other force: They feel no wear, they feel no tear, They need no mending, no repair. – Lao Tzu

If you correct your mind the rest of your life will fall into place. – Lao Tzu

In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In daily life, be competent. In action, be aware of the time and the season. – Lao Tzu

In the end, the treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go. – Lao Tzu

Instead of being afraid of death, we should try to awake to life; and the only death we should escape from is to forget the presence of God into us. – Lao Tzu

Keep your mouth shut, and close up the doors of sight and sound, and as long as you live you will have no vexation. But open your mouth, or become inquisitive, and you will be in trouble all your life long. – Lao Tzu

Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides. – Lao Tzu

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. – Lao Tzu

Life is going forth; death is returning home. – Lao Tzu

Man, when living, is soft and tender; when dead, he is hard and tough. All animals and plants when living are tender and delicate; when dead they become withered and dry. Therefore it is said: the hard and tough are parts of death; the soft and tender are parts of life. – Lao Tzu

Men are born soft and supple; dead they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail. – Lao Tzu

Most of the world’s religions serve only to strengthen attachments to false concepts such as self and other, life and death, heaven and earth, and so on. Those who become entangled in these false ideas are prevented from perceiving the Integral Oneness. – Lao Tzu

Nurture the spontaneous peaceful life.

People aren’t against you; they are for themselves. The most dangerous risk of all – the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later. He who conquers others is strong, he who conquers himself is mighty. – Lao Tzu

The difficult problems in life always start off being simple. Great affairs always start off being small. – Lao Tzu

The natural laws of the universe are inviolable… what you say and do determines what happens in your life… You are the master of your life and death. What you do is what you are. – Lao Tzu

The new life created by the final integration is self-aware yet without ego, capable of inhabiting a body yet not attached to it, and guided by wisdom rather than emotion. Whole and virtuous, it can never die. – Lao Tzu

The surest test if a person be sane, is if she accepts life whole, as it is. – Lao Tzu

The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being. – Lao Tzu

Things flourish, then each returns to its root. Returning to the root is called stillness: Stillness is called return to life, return to life is called the constant; knowing the constant is called enlightenment. – Lao Tzu

Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force. – Lao Tzu

Those who have hardened, have a covenant with Death. Those who remain gentle are conjoined with Life. – Lao Tzu

Those who know do not speak; Those who speak do not know. Stop up the openings, Close down the doors, Rub off the sharp edges. Unravel all confusion. Harmonize the light, Give up contention: This is called finding the unity of life. – Lao Tzu

To joy in conquest is to joy in the loss of human life. – Lao Tzu

Truly, only acting without thought of one’s life is superior to valuing one’s life. – Lao Tzu

We go from birth to death. Three out of ten follow life. Three out of ten follow death. People who rush from birth to death are also three out of ten. Why is that so? Because they want to make too much of life. – Lao Tzu

What honor can there be without humility? What heights can be reached without being low? The pieces of a chariot are useless unless the work in accordance with the whole A man’s life brings nothing unless he lives in accordance with the whole universe Playing one’s part in accordance with the universe is true humility So whether you’re a gem in the royal court or a stone on the common path If you accept your part with humility the glory of the universe will be yours. – Lao Tzu

When life begins we are tender and weak When life ends we are stiff and rigid All things, including the grass and trees, are soft and pliable in life and dry in brittle in death So the soft and supple are the companion of life While the stiff and unyielding are the companions of death An army that cannot yield will be defeated A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind Thus by Nature’s own decree the hard and strong are defeated while the soft and gentle are triumphant – Lao Tzu

When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, amused, kindhearted as a grandmother, and dignified as a king. Immersed in wonder, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death comes, you are ready. – Lao Tzu

Who acts in stillness finds stillness in his life. – Lao Tzu

Why do the people think so little of death? Because the rulers demand too much of life. Therefore the people take death lightly. – Lao Tzu

Why separate your spiritual life and your practical life? To an integral being, there is no such distinction. – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes On Love

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar. – Lao Tzu

Because of a great love, one is courageous. – Lao Tzu

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. – Lao Tzu

By the accident of fortune a man may rule the world for a time, but by virtue of love and kindness he may rule the world forever. – Lao Tzu

Can you love or guide someone without any kind of expectation? – Lao Tzu

Give up your relentless moralizing, the continual pinpricks which pierce the skin of your fellows. The distinction between good and evil is the sickness of the mind. Give up your morals, and the people will regain a love of their fellows. – Lao Tzu

Go to the people. Live with them, learn from them, love them. – Lao Tzu

Goodness in words creates trust, goodness in thinking creates depth, goodness in giving creates love. – Lao Tzu

He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love. – Lao Tzu

In the Way of Heaven, there is no partiality of love; it is always on the side of the good man. – Lao Tzu

Kind words elicit trust. Kind thoughts create depth. Kind deeds bring love. – Lao Tzu

Kindness in thinking creates profundity. Kindness in giving creates love. – Lao Tzu

Kindness in thought leads to wisdom. Kindness in speech leads to eloquence. Kindness in action leads to love. – Lao Tzu

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. – Lao Tzu

Love is a decision. Not an emotion. – Lao Tzu

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses. – Lao Tzu

Love is of all the passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the senses. – Lao Tzu

Love is the greatest link that we have with those who have temporarily left us. – Lao Tzu

Love the whole world as if it were your self; then you will truly care for all things. – Lao Tzu

Love the world as your self; then you can care for all things. – Lao Tzu

Love is of all the passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the senses. – Lao Tzu

Loving, hating, having expectations: all these are attachments. Attachment prevents the growth of one’s true being. – Lao Tzu

Marriage is three parts love and seven parts forgiveness of sins. – Lao Tzu

Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe. – Lao Tzu

Speaking with kindness creates confidence, thinking with kindness creates profoundness, giving with kindness creates love. – Lao Tzu

Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven. – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes On Education

Don’t imagine that you’ll discover {the truth} by accumulating more knowledge. Knowledge creates doubt, and doubt makes you ravenous for more knowledge. You can’t get full eating this way. – Lao Tzu

For knowledge, add something every day. For wisdom….subtract. – Lao Tzu

If people do not revere the Law of Nature It will adversely affect them. If they accept It with knowledge and reverence, It will accommodate them with balance and harmony. – Lao Tzu

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants. – Lao Tzu

In ancient times, those who followed the Way did not try to give people knowledge thereof, but kept them ignorant. – Lao Tzu

Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it. – Lao Tzu

Knowledge of the eternal is all-embracing. To be all-embracing leads to righteousness, which is majestic. – Lao Tzu

Knowledge studies others, wisdom is self known. – Lao Tzu

Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it. – Lao Tzu

Much knowledge will corrupt the heart,/When partly understood,/And so the people grow too smart,/But neither wise nor good. – Lao Tzu

Not-knowing is true knowledge. Presuming to know is a disease. First realize that you are sick; then you can move toward health. – Lao Tzu

People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge. – Lao Tzu

People are difficult to rule, because of their knowledge. – Lao Tzu

Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge. – Lao Tzu

Those who seek knowledge, collect something every day. Those who seek the Way, let go of something every day. – Lao Tzu

To attain knowledge, add things every day To attain wisdom, remove things every day – Lao Tzu

To realize that our knowledge is ignorance, This is a noble insight. To regard our ignorance as knowledge, This is mental sickness. Only when we are sick of the sickness Shall we cease to be sick. The Sage is not sick, being sick of sickness; This is the secret of health. – Lao Tzu

To rule by knowledge ravages the country. – Lao Tzu

Understanding others is knowledge, Understanding oneself is enlightenment; Conquering others is power, Conquering oneself is strength. – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes On Knowing Yourself

A government can be compared to our lungs. Our lungs are best when we don’t realize they are helping us breathe. It is when we are constantly aware of our lungs that we know they have come down with an illness. – Lao Tzu

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want. – Lao Tzu

Because he (the Sage) demands no honor, he will never be dishonored. – Lao Tzu

Because he (the Sage) opposes no one, no one in the world can oppose him. – Lao Tzu

Because he is a living divinity, when he acts, the universe acts. – Lao Tzu

For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions. – Lao Tzu

He (the Sage) does not show off, therefore he shines. – Lao Tzu

He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue of good. – Lao Tzu

He (the sage) wants all things to follow their own nature, but dares not act. – Lao Tzu

He does not feel pity for himself – thus he can successfully develop. – Lao Tzu

He does not praise himself – yet he is respectable. – Lao Tzu

He does not struggle with anyone – thus no one can vanquish him. – Lao Tzu

He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that is worn out shall be renewed. He who has little shall succeed. He who has much shall go astray. – Lao Tzu

He who accounts all things easy will have many difficulties. – Lao Tzu

He who acts, destroys; he who grasps, loses. Therefore the Sage does not act, and so does not destroy; he does not grasp, and so he does not lose. – Lao Tzu

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty. – Lao Tzu

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still. – Lao Tzu

He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love. – Lao Tzu

He who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful. – Lao Tzu

He who has achieved this state Is unconcerned with friends and enemies, With good and harm, with honor and disgrace. This therefore is the highest state of man. – Lao Tzu

He who has little will receive. He who has much will be embarrassed. – Lao Tzu

He who has no faith in others shall find no faith in them. – Lao Tzu

He who holds balance…has attained the highest post in the world. – Lao Tzu

He who holds on to the Way seeks no excess. Since he lacks excess, he can grow old in no need to be renewed. – Lao Tzu

He who is able to conquer others is powerful; he who is able to conquer himself is more powerful. – Lao Tzu

He who is great must make humility his base. He who is high must make lowliness his foundation. Thus, princes and kings in speaking of themselves use the terms “lonely,” “friendless,” “of small account.” Is not this making humility their base? – Lao Tzu

He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know. – Lao Tzu

He who knows enough is enough will always have enough. – Lao Tzu

He who knows he has enough is rich. Perseverance is a sign of will power. He who stays where he is endures. To die but not to perish is to be eternally present. – Lao Tzu

He who knows himself is enlightened. – Lao Tzu

He who knows how to be aggressive, and yet remains patient, becomes a receptacle for all of Nature’s lessons. – Lao Tzu

He who knows much about others may be learned, but he who understands himself is more intelligent. He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still. – Lao Tzu

He who knows others is clever; He who knows himself has discernment. – Lao Tzu

He who knows others is wise, but he who knows himself is enlightened. – Lao Tzu

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. – Lao Tzu

He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know. – Lao Tzu

He who knows, knows not. He who knows not, knows. – Lao Tzu

He who loves does not dispute: He who disputes does not love. – Lao Tzu

He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much. – Lao Tzu

He who overcomes others has force; he who overcomes himself is strong. – Lao Tzu

He who overcomes others is strong, but he who overcomes himself is mightier still. – Lao Tzu

He who possess virtue in abundance may be compared to an infant. – Lao Tzu

He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his own downfall. – Lao Tzu

He who regards many things easy will find many difficulties. Therefore the sage regards things difficult, and consequently never has difficulties. – Lao Tzu

He who regards the world as he does the fortune of his own body can govern the world. He who loves the world as he does his own body can be entrusted with the world. – Lao Tzu

He who stands on tiptoe does not stand firm. – Lao Tzu

He who stands on tiptoe doesn’t stand firm. He who rushes ahead doesn’t go far. He who tries to shine dims his own light. He who defines himself can’t know who he really is. He who has power over others can’t empower himself. He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures. – Lao Tzu

He who stands on tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace. He who makes a show is not enlightened. He who is self-righteous is not respected. He who boasts achieves nothing. He who brags will not endure. According to followers of the Tao, “These are extra food and unnecessary luggage.” They do not bring happiness, therefore followers of the Tao avoid them. – Lao Tzu

He who steals a hook shall be hanged; while he who steals the state shall be crowned as prince. – Lao Tzu

He who talks more is sooner exhausted. – Lao Tzu

He who tip-toes cannot stand; he who strides cannot walk. – Lao Tzu

He who treasures his body as much as the world can care for the world. – Lao Tzu

He who walks on tip-toe does not walk on solid ground. – Lao Tzu

He who, conscious of being strong, is content to be weak, he shall be the paragon of mankind. Being the paragon of mankind, Virtue will never desert him. He returns to the state of a little child. – Lao Tzu

Know honor, Yet keep humility. Be the valley of the universe! Being the valley of the universe, Ever true and resourceful, Return to the state of the uncarved block. – Lao Tzu

Know the white, But keep the black, Be an example to the world! Being an example to the world, Ever true and unwavering, Return to the infinite. – Lao Tzu

Knowing constancy, the mind is open. With an open mind, you will be openhearted. Being openhearted you will act royally. Being royal, you will attain the divine. Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao. Being at one with the Tao is eternal. Though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away. – Lao Tzu

Knowing honor, but clinging to disgrace, you become the valley of the world. – Lao Tzu

Knowing how to yield is strength. – Lao Tzu

Knowing ignorance is strength; ignoring knowledge is sickness. – Lao Tzu

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. – Lao Tzu

Knowing others is to be clever. Knowing yourself is to be enlightened. Overcoming others requires force. Overcoming yourself requires strength. – Lao Tzu

Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment; Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength. – Lao Tzu

Knowing that we don’t know it’s humility; thinking that we know what we don’t know, is sickness. – Lao Tzu

Knowing that you do not know is the best. Not knowing that you do not know is an illness. – Lao Tzu

Knowing the bright, but clinging to the dark, you become a model to the world. – Lao Tzu

Knowing the future is the flower of the Way, and the beginning of folly. – Lao Tzu

Not knowing of the eternal leads to unfortunate errors. – Lao Tzu

One cannot reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others. – Lao Tzu

The ancient Masters didn’t try to educate the people, but kindly taught them to not-know. When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don’t know, people can find their own way. If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich. The simplest pattern is the clearest. Content with an ordinary life, you can show all people the way back to their own true nature. – Lao Tzu

The farther you go, the less you know. – Lao Tzu

The flexible are preserved unbroken. The bent become straight. The empty are filled. The exhausted become renewed. The poor are enriched. The rich are confounded. Therefore the sage embraces the one. Because he doesn’t display himself, people can see his light. Because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his words. Because he doesn’t know who he is, people recognize themselves in him. Because he has no goal in mind, everything he does succeeds. The old saying that the flexible are preserved unbroken is surely right! If you have truly attained wholeness, everything will flock to you. – Lao Tzu

The further one goes, the less (he realizes he) one knows. – Lao Tzu

The further one goes, the less one knows. – Lao Tzu

The longer you travel, the less you know. – Lao Tzu

The more you know the less you understand. – Lao Tzu

The wise man is one who knows what he does not know. – Lao Tzu

The wise man knows he doesn’t know. – Lao Tzu

The wise man knows without traveling. – Lao Tzu

The world’s beginning is its mother. To have found the mother is also to know the children. Although you know the children, cling to the mother. Until your last day you will not be harmed. – Lao Tzu

The wise man is one who knows what he does not know. – Lao Tzu

Those who know are not learned. Those who are learned do not know. – Lao Tzu

Those who know are wise. Those who know themselves are enlightened. – Lao Tzu

Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know. – Lao Tzu

Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. Be like the Tao. It can’t be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed, honored or brought into disgrace. It gives itself up continually. That is why it endures. – Lao Tzu

Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know. – Lao Tzu

Those who know it do not speak about it. Those who speak about it do not know it. – Lao Tzu

Those who know others are intelligent Those who know themselves have insight. Those who master others have force Those who master themselves have strength. Those who know what is enough are wealthy. Those who persevere have direction. Those who maintain their position endure. And those who die and yet do not perish, live on. – Lao Tzu

Those who know when it is enough will not perish. – Lao Tzu

Those who know when to halt are unharmed. – Lao Tzu

To conquer others is to have power, to conquer yourself is to know the way. – Lao Tzu

To know and not to do is not yet to know. – Lao Tzu

To know how little one knows is to have genuine knowledge. Not to know how little one knows is to be deluded. Only those who know when they are deluded can free themselves from such delusion. The intelligent people are not deluded, because they know and accept their ignorance as ignorance, and thereby have genuine knowledge. – Lao Tzu

To know one’s ignorance is the best part of knowledge. – Lao Tzu

To know others is to have knowledge. To know yourself is to be enlightened. – Lao Tzu

To know people is wisdom, but to know yourself is enlightenment. to master people takes force, but to master yourself takes strength. to know contentment is wealth, and to live with strong resolve. to never leave whatever you are is to abide, and to die without getting lost- that is to live on and on. – Lao Tzu

To know that you do not know is the best. To think you know when you do not is a disease. Recognizing this disease as a disease is to be free of it. – Lao Tzu

To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty. – Lao Tzu

To know you have enough is to be rich. – Lao Tzu

To manage your mind, know that there is nothing, and then relinquish all attachment to nothingness. – Lao Tzu

When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty, there arises the recognition of ugliness. When they all know the good as good, there arises the recognition of evil. – Lao Tzu

Whoever is capable of knowing when they have had enough will always be satisfied. – Lao Tzu

Without going out of doors, one can know all he needs to know. Without even looking out of his window, one can grasp the nature of everything. Without going beyond his own nature, one can achieve ultimate wisdom. Therefore, the intelligent man knows all he needs to know without going away, And sees all he needs to see without looking elsewhere, And does all he needs to do without undue exertion. – Lao Tzu

Without going outside, you may know the whole world, without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven. The farther you go, the less you know. Thus the sage knows without traveling; he sees without looking; he works without doing. – Lao Tzu

Without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world. Without looking out your window, you can see the essence of the Tao. The more you know, the less you understand. The Master arrives without leaving, sees the light without looking, achieves without doing a thing. – Lao Tzu

Without stirring abroad, One can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes The less one knows. – Lao Tzu

Words have divided man from woman, one from another, this from that, until only sages know how to put things together. Without words, without even understanding, lovers find each other. The moment of finding is always a surprise, like meeting an old friend never before known. – Lao Tzu

You cannot know the body by studying the finger, and you cannot understand the universe by learning one science. – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes On Leadership

A leader is best When people barely know he exists Of a good leader, who talks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, They will say, ‘We did this ourselves.’ – Lao Tzu

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. – Lao Tzu

Accomplish but do not boast, accomplish without show, accomplish without arrogance, accomplish without grabbing, accomplish without forcing. – Lao Tzu

All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them. The Master is above the people, and no one feels oppressed. She goes ahead of the people, and no one feels manipulated. The whole world is grateful to her. Because she competes with no one, no one can compete with her. – Lao Tzu

Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men. – Lao Tzu

Because of deep love, one is courageous. Because of frugality, one is generous. Because of not daring to be ahead of the world, one becomes the leader of the world. – Lao Tzu

Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing. – Lao Tzu

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. – Lao Tzu

Go to the people. Learn from them. Live with them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. The best of leaders when the job is done, when the task is accomplished, the people will say we have done it ourselves. – Lao Tzu

Good leaders reach solutions, and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force. – Lao Tzu

Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it. – Lao Tzu

I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men. – Lao Tzu

I have three treasures which I hold and keep. The first is mercy; the second is economy. The third is daring not to be ahead of others. From mercy comes courage; from economy comes generosity; From humility comes leadership. – Lao Tzu

If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. Thus the Master is content to serve as an example and not to impose her will. She is pointed, but doesn’t pierce. Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes. – Lao Tzu

If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness. – Lao Tzu

If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind. – Lao Tzu

If you fail to honor your people, They will fail to honor you; It is said of a good leader that When the work is done, the aim fulfilled, The people will say, “We did this ourselves.” – Lao Tzu

If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal. The Master leads by emptying people’s minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know. Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place. – Lao Tzu

If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it. – Lao Tzu

If you want to lead them you must place yourself behind them. – Lao Tzu

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence. – Lao Tzu

In the Golden Age, Rulers were unknown. In the following age Rulers were loved and praised. Next came the age When rulers were feared. Finally the age When rulers are hated. – Lao Tzu

Leadership is your ability to hide your panic from others. – Lao Tzu

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. – Lao Tzu

Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people’s faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, We have done it ourselves. – Lao Tzu

Of the second-rate leaders people speak respectfully saying, “He has done this, he has done that.” Of the first-rate leaders, they do not say this. They say, “We have done it all ourselves.” – Lao Tzu

Praise of power leads to weakness; Love of things leads to loss; The wise one leads by filling people’s hearts; He destroys illusion and disturbs those who believe they are wise; He does nothing yet everything happens. – Lao Tzu

Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found. – Lao Tzu

Stop thinking, and end your problems. – Lao Tzu

Superior leaders get things done with very little motion. They impart instruction not through many words, but through a few deeds. They keep informed about everything but interfere hardly at all. They are catalysts, and though things would not get done as well if they were not there, when they succeed they take no credit. And, because they take no credit, credit never leaves them. – Lao Tzu

Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven. – Lao Tzu

The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of his enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people. All of the embody the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don’t love to compete, but they do it in the spirit of play. In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao. – Lao Tzu

The best fighter is never angry. – Lao Tzu

The best form of leadership is to be conscious of the leadership potential with the followers and to let them unleash this potential in a spontaneous way. When a great leader accomplishes this task with effortless ease, the followers say, “We did it ourselves.” – Lao Tzu

The best leaders are those their people hardly know exist. – Lao Tzu

The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly. – Lao Tzu

The best of all leaders is the one who helps people so that eventually they don’t need him. – Lao Tzu

The best soldier does not attack. The superior fighter succeeds without violence. The greatest conqueror wins without struggle. The most successful manager leads without dictating. This is intelligent non aggressiveness. – Lao Tzu

The good leader carries water for his people. – Lao Tzu

The group will not prosper if the leader grabs the lion’s share of the credit for the good work that has been done. – Lao Tzu

The leader is a teacher who succeeds without taking credit. And, because credit is not taken, credit is received. – Lao Tzu

The leader is best, When people are hardly aware of his existence, Not so good when people praise his government, Less good when people stand in fear, Worst, when people are contemptuous. Fail to honor people, and they will fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who speaks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, The people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’ – Lao Tzu

The leader’s main job is to make themselves obsolete. – Lao Tzu

The master accomplishes more and more by doing less and less until finally he accomplishes everything by doing nothing. – Lao Tzu

The Master acts without doing, and everything gets done. – Lao Tzu

The master does his job and then stops. He understands that the universe is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao. – Lao Tzu

The Master doesn’t glitter like a jewel… [but is] as rugged and common as a stone. – Lao Tzu

The Master doesn’t seek fulfillment. For only those who are not full are able to be used which brings the feeling of completeness. – Lao Tzu

The master dwells in the substantial and not in the superficial. Rests in the fruit and not in the flower. – Lao Tzu

The Master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings. He knows that he is going to die, and her has nothing left to hold on to: no illusions in his mind, no resistances in his body. He doesn’t think about his actions; they flow from the core of his being. He holds nothing back from life; therefore he is ready for death, as a man is ready for sleep after a good day’s work. – Lao Tzu

The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people. She is good to people who are good. She is also good to people who aren’t good. This is true goodness. She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy. This is true trust. The Master’s mind is like space. People don’t understand her. They look to her and wait. She treats them like her own children. – Lao Tzu

The Master keeps her mind always at one with the Tao; that is what gives her her radiance. The Tao is ungraspable. How can her mind be at one with it? Because she doesn’t cling to ideas. The Tao is dark and unfathomable. How can it make her radiant? Because she lets it. Since before time and space were, the Tao is. It is beyond is and is not. How do I know this is true? I look inside myself and see. – Lao Tzu

The master observes the world but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. He prefers what is within to what is without. – Lao Tzu

The Master observes the world, but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. His heart is as open as the sky. – Lao Tzu

The master understands that the universe is forever out of control. – Lao Tzu

The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn’t glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as a stone. – Lao Tzu

The Master’s power is like this. He lets all things come and go effortlessly, without desire. He never expects results; thus he is never disappointed. He is never disappointed; thus his spirit never grows old. – Lao Tzu

The next best is a leader who is loved and praised. – Lao Tzu

The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms. – Lao Tzu

The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth. – Lao Tzu

The sage attends to the belly, and not to what he sees. – Lao Tzu

The sage avoids extremity, excess, and extravagance. – Lao Tzu

The sage desires no desire, does not value rare treasures, learns without learning, recovers what people have left behind. – Lao Tzu

The sage does not act and therefore does not fail, does not seize and therefore does not lose. – Lao Tzu

The sage does not attempt anything very big, and thus achieves greatness. – Lao Tzu

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more; having given all he has to others, he is richer still. – Lao Tzu

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete. – Lao Tzu

The sage does not strive to be great. Thereby he can accomplish the great. – Lao Tzu

The sage embraces the one, and is an example to the world. – Lao Tzu

The Sage expects no recognition for what he does; he achieves merit but does not take it to himself; he does not wish to display his worth. – Lao Tzu

The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies. – Lao Tzu

The sage has no concern for himself, but makes the concerns of others his own. – Lao Tzu

The sage honors his part of the settlement, but does not exact his due from others. – Lao Tzu

The sage is not ill, because he sees illness as illness. – Lao Tzu

The sage is one with the world, and lives in harmony with it. – Lao Tzu

The sage is sharp but does not cut, pointed but does not pierce, forthright but does not offend, bright but does not dazzle. – Lao Tzu

The sage knows himself, but does not parade. He cherishes himself, but does not praise himself. – Lao Tzu

The sage knows without traveling, perceives without looking, completes without acting. – Lao Tzu

The sage never strives for greatness, and can therefore accomplish greatness. – Lao Tzu

The sage never strives for the great, and thereby the great is achieved. – Lao Tzu

The sage regards things as difficult, and thereby avoids difficulty. – Lao Tzu

The sage seeks freedom from desire. He does not collect precious things. He learns not to hold on to ideas. He brings men back to what they have lost. – Lao Tzu

The sage wears clothes of coarse cloth but carries jewels in his bosom; He knows himself but does not display himself; He loves himself but does not hold himself in high esteem. – Lao Tzu

The sage wears coarse clothes, concealing jade. – Lao Tzu

The sage’s Way is to act and not to contend. – Lao Tzu

The sage, traveling all day, Does not lose sight of his baggage. Though there are beautiful things to be seen, He remains unattached and calm. – Lao Tzu

The superior leader keeps informed about everything but interferes hardly at all. – Lao Tzu

The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’ – Lao Tzu

The wise are not learned, the learned are not wise. – Lao Tzu

The wise cares about everyone, and he becomes an example to all. – Lao Tzu

The wise does not think that only he is right -thus he knows the truth. – Lao Tzu

The wise leader settles for good work and then lets others have the floor. – Lao Tzu

The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own. – Lao Tzu

The wise man does not lay up treasure. The more he expends on others, the more he gains for himself. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own. – Lao Tzu

The wise man doesn’t compete; therefore nobody can compete with him. – Lao Tzu

The wise man is one who knows, what he does not know. – Lao Tzu

The Wise Man is square but not sharp, honest but not not malign, straight but not severe, bright but not dazzling. – Lao Tzu

The wise man looks back into the past, and does not grieve over what is far off, nor rejoice over what is near; for he knows that time is without end. – Lao Tzu

The wise man puts himself last and finds himself first. – Lao Tzu

The wise man, after learning something new, is afraid to learn anything more until he has put his first lesson into practice. – Lao Tzu

The wise person dines on something more subtle: He eats the understanding that the named was born from the unnamed, that all being flows from non-being, that the describable world emanates from an indescribable source. – Lao Tzu

The wise stand out because they see themselves as part of the Whole. They shine because they don’t want to impress. They achieve great things because they don’t look for recognition. Their wisdom is contained in what they are, not their opinions. They refuse to argue, so no-one argues with them. – Lao Tzu

The wise trusts not only to his physical eyes – thus he can see clearly. – Lao Tzu

There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent. – Lao Tzu

To lead people, walk beside them … As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate … When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves! – Lao Tzu

To produce things and to rear them, To produce, but not to take possession of them, To act, but not to rely on one’s own ability, To lead them, but not to master them – This is called profound and secret virtue. – Lao Tzu

True words aren’t eloquent; eloquent words aren’t true. Wise men don’t need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren’t wise. The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is. The Tao nourishes by not forcing. By not dominating, the Master leads. – Lao Tzu

Use the light that is within you to revert to your natural clearness of sight. – Lao Tzu

Watch your thoughts, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. – Lao Tzu

Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness. – Lao Tzu

What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly. – Lao Tzu

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish. – Lao Tzu

When Simplicity is broken up, it is made into instruments. Evolved individuals who employ them, are made into leaders. In this way, the Great System is United. – Lao Tzu

When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’ – Lao Tzu

When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally. – Lao Tzu

When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists. Next best is a leader who is loved. Next, one who is feared. The worst is one who is despised./If you don’t trust people, you make them untrustworthy. The Master doesn’t talk, he acts. When his work is done, the people say, “Amazing: we did it, all by ourselves!” – Lao Tzu

When the sage stands above people, they are not oppressed. When he leads people, they are not obstructed. The world will exalt him and not grow tired of him. – Lao Tzu

Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them… If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility. If he would lead them, he must follow behind. In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed. – Lao Tzu

Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here. – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes

Laozi Quotes From Wikiquote

  • Those about whom you inquire have moulded with their bones into dust. Nothing but their words remain. When the hour of the great man has struck he rises to leadership; but before his time has come he is hampered in all that he attempts. I have heard that the successful merchant carefully conceals his wealth, and acts as though he had nothing—that the great man, though abounding in achievements, is simple in his manners and appearance. Get rid of your pride and your many ambitions, your affectation and your extravagant aims. Your character gains nothing for all these. This is my advice to you.
    • Attributed to Laozi. Laozi speaking to Confucius. Quoted in James Legge, Texts of Taoism, 34; Quoted from Will Durant, Our Oriental Heritage.

Tao Te Ching

  • The Tao that can be expressed is not the eternal Tao; The name that can be defined is not the unchanging name.
    Non-existence is called the antecedent of heaven and earth; Existence is the mother of all things.
    From eternal non-existence, therefore, we serenely observe the mysterious beginning of the Universe; From eternal existence we clearly see the apparent distinctions.
    These two are the same in source and become different when manifested.
    This sameness is called profundity. Infinite profundity is the gate whence comes the beginning of all parts of the Universe.

    • Ch. 1, as translated by Ch’u Ta-Kao (1904)
    • Also as Tao called Tao is not Tao.
  • The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao;
    The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
    The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.

    The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
    Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
    Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
    These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
    this appears as darkness.
    Darkness within darkness.
    The gate to all mystery.

    • Ch. 1, Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English (1972)
  • The tao that can be told
    is not the eternal Tao
    The name that can be named
    is not the eternal Name.
    The unnameable is the eternally real.

    Naming is the origin
    of all particular things.
    Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
    Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.
    Yet mystery and manifestations
    arise from the same source.
    This source is called darkness.
    Darkness within darkness.
    The gateway to all understanding.

    • Ch. 1, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
  • The tao that can be described
    is not the eternal Tao.
    The name that can be spoken
    is not the eternal Name.
    The nameless is the boundary of Heaven and Earth.
    The named is the mother of creation.
    Freed from desire, you can see the hidden mystery.
    By having desire, you can only see what is visibly real.

    Yet mystery and reality
    emerge from the same source.
    This source is called darkness.
    Darkness born from darkness.
    The beginning of all understanding.

    • Ch. 1, as translated by J.H.McDonald (1996) [Public domain translation]
  • The way you can go
    isn’t the real way.
    The name you can say
    isn’t the real name.
    Heaven and earth
    begin in the unnamed:
    name’s the mother
    of the ten thousand things.

    So the unwanting soul
    sees what’s hidden,
    and the ever-wanting soul
    sees only what it wants.
    Two things, one origin,
    but different in name,
    whose identity is mystery.
    Mystery of all mysteries!
    The door to the hidden.

    • Ch. 1, as interpreted by Ursula K. LeGuin (1998)
  • way can be a guide but not a fixed path
    names can be given but not permanent labels
    Nonbeing is called the beginning of heaven and earth
    being is called the mother of all things
    Always passionless thereby observe the subtle
    ever intent thereby observe the apparent
    These two come from the same source but differ in name
    both are considered mysteries
    The mystery of mysteries is the gateway of marvels

    • Ch. 1, as translated by Thomas Cleary (2004)
  • The Tao is teachable,
    yet understanding my words
    is not the same as following the Tao.
    The guidance is describable,
    yet knowing the description
    is not the same as following the guidance.
    Non-Being guides to the origin of Heaven and Earth.
    Being guides to the mother of all particular things.
    Thus, through the guidance of Non-Being,
    you can observe the beginning;
    through the guidance of Being,
    you can observe the returning.
    Non-Being and Being come out concurrently,
    but point to different directions;
    both together can be called the mysterious transforming power.
    They constantly transform into each other,
    and form the gateways for all wonderful things.

    • Chapter 1, translated by Yuhui Liang
  • A violent wind does not outlast the morning; a squall of rain does not outlast the day. Such is the course of Nature. And if Nature herself cannot sustain her efforts long, how much less can man!
    • Chapter 3 as translated by Lionel Giles
  • The Tao is like a well:
    used but never used up.

    It is like the eternal void:
    filled with infinite possibilities.It is hidden but always present.
    I don’t know who gave birth to it.
    It is older than God.

    • Ch. 4, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
  • The Tao works like the greatest fountain,
    it functions perfectly and never overflows.
    All things spray out from it and return into it,
    it seems to be the origin of them.
    It blunts the sharpness of the powerful,
    untangle the knot of the powerless;
    softens the glare of the noble,
    and stays with the humble.
    Oh, it is hidden so deep that it seems not existing.
    I do not know its source,
    but I know it is the source of the Heavenly God.

    • Chapter 4, translated by Yuhui Liang
  • The Tao is like a bellows:
    it is empty yet infinitely capable.
    The more you use it, the more it produces;
    the more you talk of it, the less you understand.

    • Ch. 5, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
  • The love of Heaven and Earth is impartial,
    and they demand nothing from the myriad things.
    The love of the sages is impartial,
    and they demand nothing from the people.
    The cooperation between Heaven and Earth
    is much like how a bellows works!
    Within the emptiness there is limitless potential;
    in moving, it keeps producing without end.
    Complaining too much only leads to misfortune.
    It is better to stay in the center of serenity.

    • Chapter 5, translated by Yuhui Liang
  • The Tao is called the Great Mother:
    empty yet inexhaustible,
    it gives birth to infinite worlds.

    • Ch. 6, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
  • The universe is deathless; Is deathless because, having no finite self, it stays infinite. A sound man by not advancing himself stays the further ahead of himself, By not confining himself to himself sustains himself outside himself: By never being an end in himself he endlessly becomes himself.
    • Ch. 7
  • Thirty spokes unite at the single hub;
    It is the empty space which makes the wheel useful.
    Mold clay to form a bowl;
    It is the empty space which makes the bowl useful.
    Cut out windows and doors;
    It is the empty space which makes the room useful.

    • Ch. 11
  • A leader is best when people barely know that he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. Fail to honor people, They fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aims fulfilled, they will all say, “We did this ourselves.”
    • Ch. 17
  • A longer paraphrase of this quotation, with modern embellishments, is often attributed to Laozi: see “Misattributed” below.
  • Since before time and space were,
    the Tao is.
    It is beyond is and is not.

    How do I know this is true?
    I look inside myself and see.

    • Ch. 21, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
  • Therefore the Sage embraces the One,
    And becomes the model of the world.
    He does not reveal himself,
    And is therefore luminous.
    He does not justify himself,
    And is therefore far-famed.
    He does not boast himself,
    And therefore people give him credit.
    He does not pride himself,
    And is therefore the ruler among men.
    It is because he does not contend
    That no one in the world can contend against him.

    • Ch. 22, as translated by Lin Yutang (1948)
  • There is a thing inherent and natural,
    Which existed before heaven and earth.
    Motionless and fathomless,
    It stands alone and never changes;
    It pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted.
    It may be regarded as the Mother of the Universe.
    I do not know its name. If I am forced to give it a name, I call it Tao, and I name it as supreme.

    • Ch. 25, as translated by Ch’u Ta-Kao (1904)
  • A good traveler has no fixed plans
    and is not intent upon arriving.
    A good artist lets his intuition
    lead him wherever it wants.
    A good scientist has freed himself of concepts
    and keeps his mind open to what is.
    Thus the Master is available to all people
    and doesn’t reject anyone.
    He is ready to use all situations
    and doesn’t waste anything.
    This is called embodying the light.

    • Ch. 27, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
    • Variants:
    • A good traveller has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving.
      • As quoted in In Search of King Solomon’s Mines‎ (2003) by Tahir Shah, p. 217
    • A true traveller has no fixed plan, and is not intent on arriving.
  • Knowing others is intelligence;
    knowing yourself is true wisdom.
    Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

    • Ch. 33, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
    • Variant translation by Lin Yutang: “He who knows others is learned; he who knows himself is wise”.
  • Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, take it and practice it earnestly.
    Scholars of the middle class, when they hear of it, take it half earnestly.
    Scholars of the lowest class, when they hear of it, laugh at it.
    Without the laughter, there would be no Tao.

    • Ch. 41
  • He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
    • Ch. 46
  • By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try, the world is beyond the winning.
    • Ch. 48, as translated by Raymond B. Blakney (1955)

*To attain knowledge, add things every day.
To attain wisdom, remove things every day.

    • Ch. 48
  • Block the passages, shut the doors,
    And till the end your strength shall not fail.
    Open up the passages, increase your doings,
    And till your last day no help shall come to you.

    • Ch. 52 as translated by Arthur Waley (1934)
  • He who knows does not speak; he who speaks does not know.
    • Ch. 56
  • The more prohibitions that are imposed on people,
    The poorer the people become.

    The more laws and regulations that exist,
    The more thieves and brigands appear.
    The more laws and order are made prominent,
    the more thieves and robbers there will be.

    • Ch. 57
    • Variant translation: The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people will be.
  • 千里之行始於足下。
    • Qiān lǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià.
    • A journey of a thousand li starts with a single step.
      • Ch. 64, line 12
    • Variant translations:
    • A journey of a thousand [miles] starts with a single step.
    • A journey of a thousand miles started with a first step.
    • A thousand-mile journey starts from your feet down there.
      • As translated by Dr. Hilmar Klaus
    • Every journey begins with a single step.
  • Governing a large country is like frying a small fish.
    • Ch. 60
  • When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.
    • Chapter 72, translated by Gia Fu Feng
  • People starved because the ruler taxed too heavily.
  • People are difficult to be ruled,
    Because the ruler governs with personal desire and establishes too many laws to confuse the people.

    • Ch. 75
  • Wise men don’t need to prove their point;
    men who need to prove their point aren’t wise.
    The Master has no possessions.
    The more he does for others, the happier he is.
    The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.
    The Tao nourishes by not forcing.
    By not dominating, the Master leads.

    • Ch. 81 as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
  • Truthful words are not fancy;
    fancy words are not truthful.
    The good are not argumentative;
    the argumentative are not quite good.
    The wise know the truth not by storing up knowledge;
    those who focus on storing up knowledge do not know the truth.
    The sage does not hoard for herself.
    The more she helps others,
    the richer life she lives.
    The more she gives to others,
    the more abundance she realizes.
    The Tao of heaven benefits all beings without harming anyone.
    The Tao of the sage assists the people without competing with anyone.

    • Chapter 81, translated by Yuhui Liang

Disputed

  • The mark of a moderate man
    is freedom from his own ideas.

    Tolerant like the sky,
    all-pervading like sunlight,
    firm like a mountain,
    supple like a tree in the wind,
    he has no destination in view
    and makes use of anything
    life happens to bring his way.

    • Ch. 59 as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)

Misattributed

  • I am not at all interested in immortality, only in the taste of tea.
    • From Lu Tong (also spelled as Lu Tung)
  • Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
    • This quote’s origin is actually unknown (see “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” on Wiktionary). This quotation has also been misattributed to Confucius and Guan Zhong.
  • Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
    • Attributed to Laozi in self-help books and on social media, this quotation is of unknown origin and date.
  • What I hear, I forget. What I say, I remember. What I do, I understand.
    • This quotation has also been misattributed to Confucius.
      • Tell me and I [will] forget. Show me and I [will] remember. Involve me and I [will] understand.
      • 不聞不若聞之,聞之不若見之,見之不若知之,知之不若行之;學至於行之而止矣
        • From Xun Zi 荀子
  • When the center does not hold, the circle falls apart.
    • This is a paraphrase of lines in “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats.
  • Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
    • This quotation’s origin is actually unknown, however it is not found in the Dao De Jing.
      • 生命是一连串的自发的自然变化。逆流而动只会徒增伤悲。接受现实,万物自然循着规律发展。
  • Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.
    • Also: “Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner”
    • Also: “If you care what people think, you will always be their prisoner”
      • Appears in Stephen Mitchell’s rendering into English of Tao Te Ching chapter 9; but this is an interpretation of Mitchell’s which does not appear in the original text or other recognized English translations. Repeated without attribution in Gilliland, Hide Your Goat, a positive thinking book published in 2013.
  • When I am anxious it is because I am living in the future. When I am depressed it is because I am living in the past.
    • Attributed to “Jimmy R.” in Days of Healing, Days of Joy (1987)[1]
  • “Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. With the best leaders when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, “We have done this ourselves.”
    • Only the final bold section is connected to Laozi (see Ch. 17 of Tao Te Ching above). The origin of the added first section is unclear.
  • An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox
    • This is actually a Mexican proverb [2]

Quotes about Laozi

  • We believe that the Daoist tradition started as a response to the excesses of civilization. That was Lao Tzu’s deal anyway. Lots of similar traditions dealt with issues of work and status and anxiety and nature the same way. But they were all, pretty much, taken over by fascists and real reactionaries. Even Taoism was taken over by charlatans and phonies. But the pure undogmatic centre of lots of traditions (Christianity, Vedism, Buddhism etc) is all the same. And that’s Daoism.
    • Oliver Benjamin, as quoted in “Big Lebowski Spawns Religion” by Yusuf Laher in Don’t Panic Online (11 April 2011)
  • My information is that Lao-tse is no longer on this planet although he keeps a long-standing connection with our Hierarchy.
    • Benjamin Creme in Maitreya’s Mission Vol. I, p. 303 (1986),
  • Lao-tse (4.2) 2 4 4 2 3, (his point in evolution & ray structure)
    • Benjamin Creme in Maitreya’s Mission Vol. III, Appendix, The List of Initiates, Their rays and stage of evolution. p. 650 (1997)
  • According to religious scholar Huston Smith, Taoism has only one basic text, the Tao Te Ching (or, in English, The Way and Its Power), a slim volume that, as Smith says, can be read in half an hour or a lifetime. Legend has it that a Chinaman by the name of Lao Tzu one day said “Enough!” (loosely translated from the Chinese), hopped on a water buffalo (possibly with rust coloration), and started heading a-way out west to Tibet.
    On his way out, someone stopped Lao Tzu and asked if he would write down the tenets of his ethos before leaving town. Being a lazy man, Lao Tzu lodged his water buffalo against an abutment long enough to write the Tao Te Ching’s 81 short verses. When finished, he kicked his water buffalo into gear and, tossing his ringer to the man, rode off into the misty horizon of legend and myth.
    Regardless of whether the legend is true, or whether Lao Tzu even really existed, the Chinaman is not the issue here, Dudes. The issue is that the Tao Te Ching is the perfect expression of Taoism’s wu wei of life, or in the parlance of Huston Smith, a life of creative quietude in which “the conscious mind must relax, stop standing in its own light, let go” so that it can flow with the Tao (or Way) of the universe.

    • Rev. Dwayne Eutsey, in the Introduction of the Dudeist holy book The Dude De Ching (2010)
  • Lao-tse may be regarded as the deepest thinker of Chinese antiquity.
    • William Howitt, in The History of the Supernatural (1863), p. 321
  • Helpmeat too, contrasta toga, his fiery goosemother, laotsey taotsey, woman who did, he tell princes of the age about. You sound on me, judges! Suppose we brisken up. Kings! Meet the Mem, Avenlith, all viviparous out of couple of lizards. She just as fenny as he is fulgar. How laat soever her latest still her sawlogs come up all standing. Psing a psalm of psexpeans, apocryphul of rhyme! His cheekmole of allaph foriverever her allinall and his Quran never teach it her the be the owner of thyself.
    • James Joyce, in Finnegans Wake (1939)
  • If there is one book in the whole of Oriental literature which one should read above all the others, it is, in my opinion, Laotse’s Book of Tao. If there is one book that can claim to interpret for us the spirit of the Orient, or that is necessary to the understanding of characteristic Chinese behaviour, including literally “the ways that are dark,” it is the Book of Tao. For Laotse’s book contains the first enunciated philosophy of camouflage in the world; it teaches the wisdom of appearing foolish, the success of appearing to fail, the strength of weakness and the advantage of lying low, the benefit of yielding to your adversary and the futility of contention for power. It accounts in fact for any mellowness that may be seen in Chinese social and individual behaviour. If one reads enough of this Book, one automatically acquires the habit and ways of the Chinese. I would go further and say that if I were asked what antidote could be found in Oriental literature and philosophy to cure this contentious modern world of its inveterate belief in force and struggle for power, I would name this book of “5,000 words” written some 2,400 years ago. For Laotse (born about 570 B.C.) has the knack of making Hitler and other dreamers of world mastery appear foolish and ridiculous. The chaos of the modem world, I believe, is due to the total lack of a philosophy of the rhythm of life such as we find in Laotse and his brilliant disciple Chuangtse, or anything remotely resembling it. And furthermore, if there is one book advising against the multifarious activities and futile busyness of the modern man, I would again say it is Laotse’s Book of Tao. It is one of the profoundest books in the world’s philosophy.
    • Lin Yutang, The Wisdom of China and India (New York: Random House, 1942), “Laotse, the Book of Tao (The Tao Teh Ching)”, Introduction, p. 579
  • Laotse packs his oracular wisdom into five thousand words of concentrated brilliance. No thinker ever wrote fewer words to embody a whole philosophy and had as much influence upon the thought of a nation.
    • Lin Yutang, From Pagan to Christian (Cleveland and New York: World Publishing, 1959), Ch. 4: “The Peak of Mount Tao”, pp. 107–108
  • Political leaders are never leaders. For leaders we have to look to the Awakeners! Lao Tse, Buddha, Socrates, Jesus, Milarepa, Gurdjiev, Krishnamurti.
    • Henry Miller, in My Bike & Other Friends (1977), p. 12
  • The oldest known Chinese sage is Lao-Tze, the founder of Taoism. “Lao Tze” is not really a proper name, but means merely “the old philosopher.” He was (according to tradition) an older contemporary of Confucius, and his philosophy is to my mind far more interesting. He held that every person, every animal, and every thing has a certain way or manner of behaving which is natural to him, or her, or it, and that we ought to conform to this way ourselves and encourage others to conform to it. “Tao” means “way,” but used in a more or less mystical sense, as in the text: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.” I think he fancied that death was due to departing from the “way,” and that if we all lived strictly according to nature we should be immortal, like the heavenly bodies.
    • Bertrand Russell, in The Problem of China (1922), Ch. XI – Chinese and Western Civilization Contrasted
  • The greatest achievement of humanity is not its works of art, science, or technology, but the recognition of its own dysfunction, its own madness. In the distant past, this recognition already came to a few individuals. A man called Gautama Siddhartha, who lived 2,600 years ago in India, was perhaps the first who saw it with absolute clarity. Later the title Buddha was conferred upon him. Buddha means “the awakened one.” At abut the same time, another of humanity’s early awakened teachers emerged in China. His name was Lao Tzu. He left a record of his teaching in the form of one of the most profound spiritual books ever written, the Tao Te Ching. To recognize one’s own insanity, is of course, the arising of sanity, the beginning of healing and transcendence.
    • Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (2005)
  • Lao Tzu was able to teach the Tao because he not only could let the Tao guide him and have direct experience of the Tao, but also was able to introduce and utilize the powerful coupling concepts of Non-Being and Being to describe and teach the Tao, so that he knew what he taught and knew how to teach for sure. And this is the main reason for Lao Tzu to be the greatest teacher of the Tao in the history.
    • Yuhui Liang, in Tao Te Ching: The English Version That Makes Good Sense (2018), p. 121

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