Lao Tzu Quotes
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That which offers no resistance can enter where there is no space.
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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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When the Way governs the world, the proud stallions drag dung carriages. When the Way is lost to the world, war horses are bred outside the city.
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People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly.
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Acting without design, occupying oneself without making a business of it, finding the great in what is small and the many in the few, repaying injury with kindness, effecting difficult things while they are easy, and managing great things in their beginnings; this is the method of Tao.
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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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The value of actions lies in their timing.
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I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct.
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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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Ancient masters of excellence had a subtle essence, and a depth too profound to comprehend.
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Although there are weapons for tens and hundreds of soldiers, they will not be used.
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Conquering the world and changing it, I do not think it can succeed.
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There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent.
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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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The world is a sacred vessel. It should not be meddled with. It should not be owned. If you try to meddle with it you will ruin it. If you try to own it you will lose it.
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The leader is a teacher who succeeds without taking credit. And, because credit is not taken, credit is received.
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I do not act, and people become reformed by themselves.
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Those who have hardened, have a covenant with Death. Those who remain gentle are conjoined with Life.
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The female always surpasses the male with stillness. In her stillness she is yielding.
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Failure is the foundation of success: success is the lurking place of failure.
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I have three treasures which I hold and keep. The first is mercy; the second is economy. The third is daring not to be ahead of others. From mercy comes courage; from economy comes generosity; From humility comes leadership.
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Greed is costly. Assembled fortunes are lost.
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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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One's own self or material goods, which has more worth? Loss (of self) or possession (of goods), which is the greater evil? He who loves most, spends most, He who hoards much loses much.