Lao Tzu Quotes
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Therefore the Sage, wishing to be above the people, must by his words put himself below them; wishing to be before the people, he must put himself behind them. In this way, though he has his place above them, the people do not feel his weight; though he has his place before them, they do not feel it as an injury. Therefore all mankind delight to exalt him, and weary of him not.
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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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Not praising the deserving prevents envy.
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The sage honors his part of the settlement, but does not exact his due from others.
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Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.
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Governing a large state is like boiling a small fish.
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In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.
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Why separate your spiritual life and your practical life? To an integral being, there is no such distinction.
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You should rule a great country As you would fry a small fish- With the least turning.
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Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. Be like the Tao. It can't be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed, honored or brought into disgrace. It gives itself up continually. That is why it endures.
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Those who know when it is enough will not perish.
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To conquer others is to have power, to conquer yourself is to know the way.
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If princes and kings were not exalted they might be overthrown.
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The best leaders are those their people hardly know exist. The next best is a leader who is loved and praised. Next comes the one who is feared. The worst one is the leader that is despised ... The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly. When they have accomplished their task, the people say, "Amazing! We did it, all by ourselves!
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Seeing the small is called Clarity. Keeping flexible is called Strength. Using the shining Radiance, You enter the Light, Where no harm can come to you. This is called Enlightenment.
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When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.
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The people starve because those above them eat too much tax-grain. That is the only reason why they starve.
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Good Government is not intrusive the people are hardly aware of it; the next best is felt yet loved; then comes that which is known and feared; the worst government is hated.
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Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over the world.
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Who can wait in stillness while the mud settles?
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The heavy is the root of the light. The tranquil is the ruler of the hasty.
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Some lose yet gain, others gain and yet lose.
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I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.
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The more weapons of violence, the more misery to mankind. The triumph of violence ends in a festival of mourning.