Lao Tzu Quotes
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Seeing the small is called Clarity. Keeping flexible is called Strength. Using the shining Radiance, You enter the Light, Where no harm can come to you. This is called Enlightenment.
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Harmony is called the eternal. Knowing the eternal is called clarity.
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With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal; shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a vessel of the highest honour.
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As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it.
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The heavy is the root of the light. The tranquil is the ruler of the hasty.
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Why separate your spiritual life and your practical life? To an integral being, there is no such distinction.
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In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.
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When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.
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What resists, persists.
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When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.
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When two opposing sides meet in battle, the one without an enemy will be victorious.
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Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength.
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No disaster is worse than being discontented.
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In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart.
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When the highest type of people hear Tao (Truth), they diligently practice it. When the average type of people hear Tao, they half believe in it. When the lowest type of people hear Tao, they laugh at it. If they did not laugh, it would not be Tao.
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In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.
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When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.
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A brave and passionate man will kill or be killed. A brave and calm man will always preserve life. Of these two which is good and which is harmful?
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Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more sacred than simply breathing. . . . If you wish to attain oneness with the Tao, don't get caught up in spiritual superficialities.
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I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.
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When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty, There arises the recognition of ugliness. When they all know the good as good, There arises the recognition of evil.
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A man is born gentle and weak. At death he is hard and stiff.
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A good manager is best when people barely know that he exists. Not so good when people obey and acclaim him. Worse when they despise him.
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If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.