Lao Tzu Quotes
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The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth.
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The further one goes, the less (he realizes he) one knows.
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Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn't try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every force there is a counterforce. Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. The Master does his job and then stops. He understands that the universe is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao. Because he believes in himself, he doesn't try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn't need others' approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him.
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All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.
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Force is followed by loss of strength. This is not the way of the Tao. That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end.
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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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The sage attends to the belly, and not to what he sees.
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We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move. We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want. We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it livable. We work with being, but non-being is what we use.
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Without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world. Without looking out your window, you can see the essence of the Tao. The more you know, the less you understand. The Master arrives without leaving, sees the light without looking, achieves without doing a thing.
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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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Those who are right do not argue. Those who argue are not right.
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Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven.
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The mature person perceives the fruitlessness of rigid, external methodologies.
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Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty when it is still easy, do the great while it is still small. The most difficult things in the world must be done while they are easy; the greatest things in the world must be done while they are small.
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If you see what is small as it sees itself, and accept what is weak for what strength it has, and use what is dim for the light it gives then all will go well. This is called Acting Naturally.
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Nature doesn't make long speeches.
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The separate parts make no carriage.
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The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.
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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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Whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. What is soft is strong.
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The best soldiers are not warlike; the best fighters do not lose their temper. The greatest conquerors are those who overcome their enemies without strife. The greatest directors of men are those who yield place to others. This is called the Virtue of not striving, the capacity for directing mankind; this is being the compeer of Heaven. It was the highest goal of the ancients.
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There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. There is no greater guilt than discontent. And there is no greater disaster than greed.
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Wise men hear and see as little children do.
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When the hares have all been caught, the hunting dogs are cooked.