Lao Tzu Quotes
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The scholar gains every day; the man of Tao loses every day.
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The Tao's principle is spontaneity.
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Weapons are the tools of violence;all decent men detest them.Weapons are the tools of fear;a decent man will avoid themexcept in the direst necessityand, if compelled, will use themonly with the utmost restraint.Peace is his highest value.If the peace has been shattered,how can he be content?His enemies are not demons,but human beings like himself.He doesn't wish them personal harm.Nor does he rejoice in victory.How could he rejoice in victoryand delight in the slaughter of men?He enters a battle gravely,with sorrow and with great compassion,as if he were attending a funeral.
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If Heaven were not clear it might rend. If Earth were not firm it might crumble.
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The universe is deathless; Is deathless because, having no finite self, it stays infinite. A sound man by not advancing himself stays the further ahead of himself, By not confining himself to himself sustains himself outside himself: By never being an end in himself he endlessly becomes himself.
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Your name or your body, what is dearer? Your body or your wealth, what is worthier?
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If princes and kings could follow it (Tao), all things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite and sweet dew would fall. People would by themselves find harmony, without being commanded.
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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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Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habit.
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Strong winds do not last all morning, hard rains do not last all day.
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Yielding is the way of the Tao.
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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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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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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 Way is empty, yet inexhaustible, like an abyss!
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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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That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances.
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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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To be brave without compassion, generous without moderation, and rule without refraining from being first in the world, are certain deaths.
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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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The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.
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The real art of governing consists, so far as possible, in doing nothing.
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In the end, The treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go.