Lao Tzu Quotes

“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.”

“I am good to people who are good. I am also good to people who are not good. Because Virtue is goodness.”

“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.”

“People are difficult to rule, because of their knowledge.”

“Loss is not as bad as wanting more.”

“The more weapons of violence, the more misery to mankind. The triumph of violence ends in a festival of mourning.”

“What is well rooted cannot be pulled up. What is firmly grasped will not slip loose. It will be honoured from generation to generation.”

“Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.”

“Truly, only those who see illness as illness can avoid illness.”

“Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.”

“Mastering others is strength. Mastering oneself makes you fearless.”

“Knowing ignorance is strength; ignoring knowledge is sickness.”

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

“A good wanderer leaves no trace.”

“When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.”

“He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.”

“Human being's essential nature is perfect and faultless.”

“Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Be still and allow the mud to settle.”

“I find good people good And I find bad people good If I am good enough.”

“Perfect kindness acts without thinking of kindness.”

“Kindness in thought leads to wisdom. Kindness in speech leads to eloquence. Kindness in action leads to love.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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.”