Lao Tzu Quotes
-
They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.
-
Heaven's Way gives no favors. It always remains with good people.
-
If you wish to become a divine immortal angel, then restore the angelic qualities of your being through virtue and service. This is the only way to gain the attention of the immortals... These angelic teachers cannot be sought out; it is they who seek out the student. When you succeed in connecting your energy with the divine realm through high awareness and the practice of undiscriminating virtue, the transmission of the ultimate subtle truths will follow.
-
Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.
-
The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.
-
Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful.
-
Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.
-
Returning is the movement of the Way.
-
Understanding others is knowledge, Understanding oneself is enlightenment; Conquering others is power, Conquering oneself is strength.
-
Eliminate mental muddiness and obscurity; keep your mind crystal clear. Allow your pure original insight to emerge. Quiet your emotions and abide in serenity. Don't go crazy with the worship of idols, images, and ideas; this is like putting a new head on top of the head you already have. Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear.
-
He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.
-
The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in honors.
-
The more you know the less you understand.
-
Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.
-
The scholar gains every day; the man of Tao loses every day.
-
The value comes from what is there, but the use comes from what is not there.
-
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.
-
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?
-
If you are untrustworthy, people will not trust you.
-
Some have lavish garments, carry sharp swords, and feast on food and drink. They possess more than they can spend. This is called the vanity of robbers. It is certainly not the Way.
-
Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. Those who are skilled (in the Tao) do not dispute (about it); the disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know (the Tao) are not extensively learned; the extensively learned do not know it.
-
A good person is the bad person's teacher. A bad person is the good person's task.