Lao Tzu Quotes
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If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.
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He who loves does not dispute: He who disputes does not love.
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Its name-what passes not away.
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Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.
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How can one liberate the many? By first liberating his own being. He does this not by elevating himself, but by lowering himself. He lowers himself to that which is simple, modest, true; integrating it into himself, he becomes a master of simplicity, modesty, truth.
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Having reached a high level of realization (or having accomplished anything in life), don't get excited or puffed up with pride but remain calm, humble, and in "perfect equanimity" if you want to continue in this deep state of consciousness.
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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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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.
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The scholar gains every day; the man of Tao loses every day.
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. . . 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.
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Knowing that we don't know it's humility; thinking that we know what we don't know, is sickness.
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Yielding, like ice about to melt.
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In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.
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Tao invariably takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone.
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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.
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Ancient masters of excellence had a subtle essence, and a depth too profound to comprehend.
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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.
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Wear down to be renewed.
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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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Speaking with kindness creates confidence, thinking with kindness creates profoundness, giving with kindness creates love.
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Use the Light that dwells within you to regain your natural clarity of sight.
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What has no substance can penetrate what has no opening.
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How do I know about the world? By what is within me.
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Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.