Lao Tzu Quotes
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The rigid and big belong below. The soft and weak belong above.
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That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances.
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The greatest revelation is stillness.
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Those who stand on their toes are not steady.
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The fourth (of the four cardinal virtues) is supportiveness: this manifests as service to others without expectation of reward. (Paraphrased: Such service is not a mere conforming to some external rule of behavior, but instead a manifestation of your original nature).
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The Master keeps her mind always at one with the Tao; that is what gives her her radiance. The Tao is ungraspable. How can her mind be at one with it? Because she doesn't cling to ideas. The Tao is dark and unfathomable. How can it make her radiant? Because she lets it. Since before time and space were, the Tao is. It is beyond is and is not. How do I know this is true? I look inside myself and see.
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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.
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If your virtue is especially radiant, it can be possible to open a pathway to the subtle realm and receive these celestial teachings directly from the immortals.
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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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A man is born gentle and weak. At death he is hard and stiff.
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A multitude of words is tiresome, unlike remaining centered.
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We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it liveable.
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To delight in conquest is to delight in slaughter.
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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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Be truly whole, and all things will return to you.
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The more laws and restrictions there are, The poorer people become. The sharper men's weapons, The more trouble in the land.
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The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.
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Stillness is the ruler of haste.
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The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.
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Have patience. Wait until the mud settles and the water is clear. Remain unmoving until right action arises by itself.
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Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools. He uses them only when he has no choice.
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In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.
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Does one scent appeal more than another? Do you prefer this flavor, or that feeling? Is your practice sacred and your work profane? Then your mind is separated: from itself, from oneness, from the Tao.
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From now back to antiquity, its (Tao's) name has not been lost. Thereby, see the origin of all.