Lao Tzu Quotes
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Other people are joyous, like on the feast of the ox, like on the way up to the terrace in the spring. I alone am inert, giving no sign, like a newborn baby who has not learned to smile.
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Return animosity with virtue.
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All things issue from it; all things return to it. To find the origin, trace back the manifestations. When you recognize the children and find the mother, you will be free of sorrow. If you close your mind in judgements and traffic with desires, your heart will be troubled. If you keep your mind from judging and aren't led by the senses, your heart will find peace. Seeing into darkness is clarity. Knowing how to yield is strength. Use your own light and return to the source of light. This is called practicing eternity.
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Wear down to be renewed.
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There is no greater fault than sensual indulgence. There is no greater misfortune than malcontent. There is no greater calamity than greed.
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True words aren't eloquent; eloquent words aren't true. Wise men don't need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren't wise. The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is. The Tao nourishes by not forcing. By not dominating, the Master leads.
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Is not the action of nature like the stretching of a bow? The high, it pulls down; the low, it lifts up; It takes from what is in excess In order to make good of what is deficient. Who can take what they have in excess and offer it to others?
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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.
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...The sage, traveling all day, Does not lose sight of his baggage. Though there are beautiful things to be seen, He remains unattached and calm.
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The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.
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He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his own downfall.
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A good counter needs no calculator.
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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.
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They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.
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Speaking with kindness creates confidence, thinking with kindness creates profoundness, giving with kindness creates love.
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It's hard to keep your balance standing tip-toe.
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Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.
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When many people are killed, they should be mourned and lamented. Those who are victorious in war should follow the rites of funerals.
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The sage desires no desire, does not value rare treasures, learns without learning, recovers what people have left behind.
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A good mooring needs no knot, still no one can untie it.
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{The cleansing of spiritual contamination} is accomplished by offering one's talent, resources, and life to the world.
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Those who defeat others are strong, those who defeat themselves are mighty.
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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!
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What is well planted will not be uprooted.