Lao Tzu Quotes
-
He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
-
Stretch the bow to the very full, and you will wish you had stopped in time.
-
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
-
If I have even just a little sense, I will walk on the main road and my only fear will be of straying from it. Keeping to the main road is easy, But people love to be sidetracked.
-
In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
-
The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.
-
Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.
-
Thus an army without flexibility never wins a battle. A tree that is unbending is easily broken.
-
The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.
-
To lead people walk behind them.
-
Abandon knowledge and your worries are over.
-
Without stirring abroad, One can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes The less one knows.
-
The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be.
-
Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.
-
To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.
-
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
-
One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.
-
At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.
-
He who knows himself is enlightened.
-
When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion. When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won't be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn.
-
The career of a sage is of two kinds: He is either honored by all in the world, Like a flower waving its head, Or else he disappears into the silent forest.
-
Don't imagine that you'll discover {the truth} by accumulating more knowledge. Knowledge creates doubt, and doubt makes you ravenous for more knowledge. You can't get full eating this way.
-
There was something undifferentiated and yet complete, which existed before Heaven and Earth. Soundless and formless, it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger. It may be considered the mother of the universe. I do not know its name; I call it Tao.
-
Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.