Lao Tzu Quotes

“In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.”

“The more laws and orders are multiplied, the more theft and violence increase.”

“Abandon wisdom, discard knowledge, and people will benefit a hundredfold.”

“Knowing the bright, but clinging to the dark, you become a model to the world.”

“Wary, as if surrounded by strangers.”

“Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.”

“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.”

“He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Because he (the Sage) demands no honor, he will never be dishonored.”

“One who believes in himself has no need to convince others.”

“A violent wind does not last for a whole morning.”

“The Great Vessel takes long to complete.”

“The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. A victory should be celebrated with the funeral rite.”

“Those who know are not learned. Those who are learned do not know.”

“Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.”

“Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear.”

“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.'”

“Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil.”

“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.”

“Why do the people think so little of death?Because the rulers demand too much of life.Therefore the people take death lightly.”