Lao Tzu Quotes

Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.

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.

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

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

Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

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

He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

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

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

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

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

To see things in the seed, that is genius.

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.

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

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.

To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.

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.

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

From wonder into wonder existence opens.

To lead the people, walk behind them.

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.

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.

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

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

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.

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

Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.

Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens.

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

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.'

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.

By accident of fortune a man may rule the world for a time, but by virtue of love he may rule the world forever

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

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.

Nature is not human hearted.

Marriage is three parts love and seven parts forgiveness of sins.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

He who talks more is sooner exhausted.

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

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 his heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he is automatically involved in fear of losing his status.

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

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

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