Lao Tzu Quotes
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Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful.
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Your name or your body, what is dearer? Your body or your wealth, what is worthier?
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Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.
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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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A good manager is best when people barely know that he exists. Not so good when people obey and acclaim him. Worse when they despise him.
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Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.
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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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If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.
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Yielding, like ice about to melt.
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Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.
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He who stands on tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace. He who makes a show is not enlightened. He who is self-righteous is not respected. He who boasts achieves nothing. He who brags will not endure. According to followers of the Tao, "These are extra food and unnecessary luggage." They do not bring happiness, therefore followers of the Tao avoid them.
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The sturdiest virtue seems fragile.
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People starve. The rulers consume too much with their taxes. That is why people starve.
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People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly.
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Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby?
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Perfect kindness acts without thinking of kindness.
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The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as a stone.
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The sage never strives for greatness, and can therefore accomplish greatness.
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Once you arrive {at a spontaneous awareness of the Great Oneness}, remember: it isn't necessary to struggle to maintain unity with it. All you have to do is participate in it.
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The best soldier does not attack. The superior fighter succeeds without violence. The greatest conqueror wins without struggle. The most successful manager leads without dictating. This is intelligent non aggressiveness.
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As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it.
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Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.
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There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands.
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In order to eliminate the negative influences, simply ignore them.