Lao Tzu Quotes
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Yielding is the way of the Tao.
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The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes.
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The man of knowledge acquires something new everyday, and the man of Tao lets go of something new every day.
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The sage desires no desire, does not value rare treasures, learns without learning, recovers what people have left behind.
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The sturdiest virtue seems fragile.
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Knowing constancy, the mind is open. With an open mind, you will be openhearted. Being openhearted you will act royally. Being royal, you will attain the divine. Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao. Being at one with the Tao is eternal. Though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away.
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The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.
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In order to eliminate the negative influences, simply ignore them.
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Who can wait in stillness while the mud settles?
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Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength.
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Reputation should be neither sought nor avoided.
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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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Stillness is easy to maintain.
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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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The Tao's principle is spontaneity.
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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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{The cleansing of spiritual contamination} is accomplished by offering one's talent, resources, and life to the world.
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He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.
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The highest virtue is not virtuous. Therefore it has virtue. The lowest virtue holds on to virtue. Therefore it has no virtue.
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The greatest revelation is stillness.
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If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession.
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The Way is empty, yet inexhaustible, like an abyss!
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Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river.
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Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.