Lao Tzu Quotes
-
The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it.
-
A good speaker does not stutter.
-
Cut out doors and windows for the house. The holes make it useful.
-
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.
-
A sage is skilled at helping people without excluding anyone.
-
Racing and hunting excite man's heart to madness.
-
Those who defeat others are strong, those who defeat themselves are mighty.
-
Nature's way is simple and easy, but men prefer the intricate and artificial.
-
Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.
-
Learn to lead in a nourishing manner. Learn to lead without being possessive. Learn to be helpful without taking the credit. Learn to lead without coercion.
-
Knowing that we don't know it's humility; thinking that we know what we don't know, is sickness.
-
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment. For only those who are not full are able to be used which brings the feeling of completeness.
-
The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. Through this I know the advantage of taking no action.
-
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.
-
. . . 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.
-
We desire to understand the world by giving names to the things we see, but these things are only the effects of something subtle.
-
The ego is entranced by ... names and ideas... However names and concepts only block your perception of this Great Oneness. Therefore it is wise to ignore them. Those who live inside their egos are continually bewildered.
-
The most able seems clumsy.
-
What has no substance can penetrate what has no opening.
-
I alone have the mind of a fool, and am all muddled and vague. The people are so smart and bright. While I am just dull and confused.
-
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.
-
Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil.
-
If you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.
-
He who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.