Lao Tzu Quotes
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People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.
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First, we must do our own personal work, then we tend the necessary work of our family, then our community, then the world.
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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.
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Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and people will return to the family ties.
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Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.
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Yet mystery and imagination arise from the same source. This source is called darkness ... Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.
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The wise man puts himself last and finds himself first.
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When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.
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Nature doesn't make long speeches.
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From now back to antiquity, its (Tao's) name has not been lost. Thereby, see the origin of all.
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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.
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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.
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The real key to health and happiness and success is self knowledge.
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If you never assume importance, you never lose it.
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The superior leader keeps informed about everything but interferes hardly at all.
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A multitude of words is tiresome, unlike remaining centered.
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The more clever and cunning people are, the stranger the events will be.
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When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
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My words have an origin. My deeds have a sovereign. Truly, because people do not understand this, they do not understand me.
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The softest of stuff in the world, penetrates quickly the hardest, insubstantial, it enters where there is no room.
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Rule a kingdom as though you were cooking a small fish - don't overdo it.
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We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move.
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Conduct your triumph as a funeral.
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ALL things in Nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing. They fulfil their functions and make no claim.