Lao Tzu Quotes
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Tao invariably takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone.
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The river and the sea can be kings of a hundred valleys, because they lie below them.
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. . . These are notions of the mind, which is like a knife, always chipping away at the Tao, trying to render it graspable and manageable. But that which is beyond form is ungraspable, and that which is beyond knowing is unmanageable. There is, however, this consolation: She who lets go of the knife will find the Tao at her fingertips.
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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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Those who know when it is enough will not perish.
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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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Excellent warriors are not violent.
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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 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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Strong winds do not last all morning, hard rains do not last all day.
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The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes.
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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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In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.
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Reputation should be neither sought nor avoided.
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The Tao's principle is spontaneity.
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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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Racing and hunting excite man's heart to madness.
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That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances.
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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 best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not compete with them. It stays in lowly places that others reject. This is why it is so similar to the Way.
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Heaven's Way does not contend, yet it certainly triumphs. It does not speak, yet it certainly answers. It does not summon, yet things come by themselves. It seems to be at rest, yet it certainly has a plan.
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Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.
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Treat the large as the small and the few as the many.
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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.