Lao Tzu Quotes
-
I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.
-
To manage your mind, know that there is nothing, and then relinquish all attachment to nothingness.
-
Deal with the small before it becomes large.
-
No disaster is worse than being discontented.
-
Why separate your spiritual life and your practical life? To an integral being, there is no such distinction.
-
Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return. Each separate being in the universe returns to the common source. Returning to the source is serenity. If you don't realize the source, you stumble in confusion and sorrow. When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused, kindhearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king. Immersed in the wonder of the Tao, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death comes, you are ready.
-
They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.
-
What resists, persists.
-
People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly.
-
Heaven's Way gives no favors. It always remains with good people.
-
There are three layers to the universe. In the lower, Tai Ching, and the middle, Shan Ching, the hindrance of a physical bodily existence is required. Those who fail to live consistently in accord with the Tao reside here. In the upper, Yu Ching, there is only Tao: the bondage of form is broken, and the only thing existing is the exquisite energy dance of the immortal divine beings.
-
If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.
-
Use the Light that dwells within you to regain your natural clarity of sight.
-
Confidence is the greatest friend.
-
The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things. All things have their backs to the female and stand facing the male. When male and female combine, all things achieve harmony. Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe.
-
. . . the integral being is attached to nothing and can relate to everyone with an unstructured attitude. Because of this, her very existence benefits all things.
-
When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.
-
It's hard to keep your balance standing tip-toe.
-
When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.
-
To joy in conquest is to joy in the loss of human life.
-
The ego is entranced by ... names and ideas... However names and concepts only block your perception of this Great Oneness. Therefore it is wise to ignore them. Those who live inside their egos are continually bewildered.
-
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!
-
The heavy is the root of the light. The tranquil is the ruler of the hasty.
-
Harmony is called the eternal. Knowing the eternal is called clarity.