Lao Tzu Quotes
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The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'
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One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.
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Goodness in words creates trust, goodness in thinking creates depth, goodness in giving creates love.
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The perfect square lacks corners.
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The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
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He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
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Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.
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Stretch the bow to the very full, and you will wish you had stopped in time.
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To lead people walk behind them.
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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.
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The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.
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Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.
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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.
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The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be.
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Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.
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To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.
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When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
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He who knows himself is enlightened.
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I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
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Abandon knowledge and your worries are over.
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At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.
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Once upon a time a man whose ax was missing suspected his neighbor's son. The boy walked like a thief, looked like a thief and spoke like a thief. But the man found his ax while digging in the valley, and the next time he saw his neighbor's son, the boy walked, looked and spoke like any other child.
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One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.
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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.