Lao Tzu Quotes
-
The subtlest of subtleties, this is the gateway to all mysteries.
-
The wise cares about everyone, and he becomes an example to all.
-
The Tao's principle is spontaneity.
-
In the end, The treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go.
-
The highest virtue is not virtuous. Therefore it has virtue. The lowest virtue holds on to virtue. Therefore it has no virtue.
-
When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind them: the creative, transformative, boundless, immutable Tao.
-
Perfect kindness acts without thinking of kindness.
-
He who controls the past controls the future.
-
Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength.
-
Can you step back from your own mind and thus understand all things?
-
The sage desires no desire, does not value rare treasures, learns without learning, recovers what people have left behind.
-
Reputation should be neither sought nor avoided.
-
Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.
-
The people starve because those above them eat too much tax-grain. That is the only reason why they starve.
-
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.
-
Failure is an opportunity. If you blame someone else, there is no end to the blame. Therefore the Master fulfills her own obligations and corrects her own mistakes. She does what she needs to do and demands nothing of others.
-
The more weapons of violence, the more misery to mankind. The triumph of violence ends in a festival of mourning.
-
Therefore the Sage, wishing to be above the people, must by his words put himself below them; wishing to be before the people, he must put himself behind them. In this way, though he has his place above them, the people do not feel his weight; though he has his place before them, they do not feel it as an injury. Therefore all mankind delight to exalt him, and weary of him not.
-
Those who are self-righteous are not prominent.
-
When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.
-
When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.
-
The Way is empty, yet inexhaustible, like an abyss!
-
To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!
-
If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.