Lao Tzu Quotes
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A multitude of words is tiresome, unlike remaining centered.
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Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.
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Open yourself to the truth, then trust in your natural responses, and everything will fall into place.
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Those who are content suffer no disgrace.
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Things exalted then decay. This is going against the Way. What goes against the Way meets an early end.
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To know you have enough is to be rich.
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A skillful commander is not overbearing. A skillful fighter does not become angry. A skillful conqueror does not compete with people. One who is skillful in using men puts himself below them. This is called the strength to use men. This is called matching Heaven, The highest principle of old.
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Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful.
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When the hares have all been caught, the hunting dogs are cooked.
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Heaven's Way is like stretching a bow. The high is lowered and the low is raised. Excess is reduced and deficiency is replenished. Heaven's Way reduces excess and replenishes deficiency. People's Way is not so. They reduce the deficient and supply the excessive.
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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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Holding on to the weak is called strength.
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If you never assume importance, you never lose it.
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The mature person perceives the fruitlessness of rigid, external methodologies.
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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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There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war.
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The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
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Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.
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The wise man does not lay up treasure. The more he expends on others, the more he gains for himself. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.
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Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you.
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But in the present day men cast off gentleness, and are all for being bold; they spurn frugality, and retain only extravagance; they discard humility, and aim only at being first. Therefore they shall surely perish.
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Filling life exceedingly is called ominous.
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A good calculator does not need artificial aids.
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Those who praise themselves do not prevail.