Lao Tzu Quotes
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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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Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.
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Tao invariably takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone.
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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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Why separate your spiritual life and your practical life? To an integral being, there is no such distinction.
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The highest benevolence acts without purpose.
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Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby?
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If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.
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Those who are highly evolved, maintain an undiscriminating perception. Seeing everything, labeling nothing, they maintain their awareness of the Great Oneness. Thus they are supported by it.
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To be brave without compassion, generous without moderation, and rule without refraining from being first in the world, are certain deaths.
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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.
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Too much success is not an advantage. Do not tinkle like jade Or clatter like stone chimes.
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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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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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I do not interfere, and people become rich by themselves.
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Therefore the stiff and unbending is the disciple of death. The gentle and yielding is the disciple of life.
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Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness, untie the knots, dim the light, become one with the dust. This is called the profound union.
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Prepare while it's easy.
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Find a teacher who is an integral being, a beacon who extends his light and virtue with equal ease to those who appreciate him and those who don't. Shape yourself in his mold, bathe in his nourishing radiance, and reflect it out to the rest of the world.
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Ancient masters of excellence had a subtle essence, and a depth too profound to comprehend.
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(The Tao) is always present and always available. . . . If you are willing to be lived by it, you will see it everywhere, even in the most ordinary things.
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He who overcomes others has force; he who overcomes himself is strong.
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The noble must make humility his root.
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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.