Lao Tzu Quotes

“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.”

“The wise are not learned, the learned are not wise.”

“Your name or your body, what is dearer? Your body or your wealth, what is worthier?”

“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.”

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

“Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven.”

“Yet mystery and imagination arise from the same source. This source is called darkness ... Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.”

“There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war.”

“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.”

“The one who does not honor the teacher and the one who does not honor the task, although ever so knowledgeable, they are confused.”

“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.”

“Nothing and no one in the world is valuable or worthless.”

“That so few understand me is why I am treasured.”

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”

“To conquer others is to have power, to conquer yourself is to know the way.”

“I let go of all desire for the common good, and the good becomes as common as the grass.”

“Build up virtue, and you master all.”

“What is and what is not create each other.”

“The sage regards things as difficult, and thereby avoids difficulty.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“When the palace is magnificent, the fields are filled with weeds, and the granaries are empty.”

“Stillness is the ruler of haste.”

“Excellent warriors are not violent.”

“Be merciful, moderate, and modest.”

“Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time' is to say 'I don't want to.'”

“Without law or compulsion, men would dwell in harmony.”

“If you correct your mind the rest of your life will fall into place.”

“Activity conquers coldness. Stillness conquers heat.”

“Watch your thoughts, they become words.”

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

“Excellent conquerors do not engage.”

“Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.”

“The ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people.”

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

“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.”

“Love is the greatest link that we have with those who have temporarily left us.”

“Too much success is not an advantage.Do not tinkle like jadeOr clatter like stone chimes.”

“Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.”

“When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.”

“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.”

“Happiness perches on misery. Misery crouches beneath happiness.”

“The wise does not think that only he is right -thus he knows the truth.”

“Abandon learning and there will be no sorrow.”

“All things arise in unison. Thereby we see their return.”

“Truth sounds paradoxical!”

“Without stepping out the door, you can know the world.”

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

“He who knows, knows not. He who knows not, knows.”