Lao Tzu Quotes
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To the good I would be good; to the not-good I would also be good, in order to make them good.
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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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When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty, There arises the recognition of ugliness. When they all know the good as good, There arises the recognition of evil.
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Your name or your body, what is dearer? Your body or your wealth, what is worthier?
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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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When you let go of what you are, you become what you might be.
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The True Person avoids extremes, self-indulgence, and extravagance.
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I do not interfere, and people become rich by themselves.
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Racing and hunting excite man's heart to madness.
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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.
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How do I become still? By flowing with the stream.
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Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil.
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Although there are weapons for tens and hundreds of soldiers, they will not be used.
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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.
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Speaking with kindness creates confidence, thinking with kindness creates profoundness, giving with kindness creates love.
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A sage is skilled at helping people without excluding anyone.
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Ancient masters of excellence had a subtle essence, and a depth too profound to comprehend.
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The mark of a moderate man is freedom from his own ideas. Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a tree in the wind, he has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way.
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When a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors. When a country goes counter to the Tao, warheads are stockpiled outside the cities. There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy. Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.
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How do I know about the world? By what is within me.
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Happiness perches on misery. Misery crouches beneath happiness.
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Harmony is called the eternal. Knowing the eternal is called clarity.
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The Master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings. He knows that he is going to die, and her has nothing left to hold on to: no illusions in his mind, no resistances in his body. He doesn't think about his actions; they flow from the core of his being. He holds nothing back from life; therefore he is ready for death, as a man is ready for sleep after a good day's work.
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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.