Lao Tzu Quotes
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The Way is the source of all things, good people's treasure and bad people's refuge.
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To joy in conquest is to joy in the loss of human life.
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Not all spiritual paths lead to the harmonious Oneness. Indeed, most are detours and distractions, nothing more.
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The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to yin and yang. Yin and yang give birth to all things... The complete whole is the complete whole. So also is any part the complete whole... But forget about understanding and harmonizing and making all things one. The universe is already a harmonious oneness; just realize it.
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How do I become still? By flowing with the stream.
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That which offers no resistance can enter where there is no space.
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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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He who stands on tiptoe doesn't stand firm. He who rushes ahead doesn't go far. He who tries to shine dims his own light. He who defines himself can't know who he really is. He who has power over others can't empower himself. He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures.
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When much virtue is achieved, nothing is not overcome.
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Without going out-of-doors, one can know all he needs to know. Without even looking out of his window, one can grasp the nature of everything. Without going beyond his own nature, one can achieve ultimate wisdom. Therefore, the intelligent man knows all he needs to know without going away, And sees all he needs to see without looking elsewhere, And does all he needs to do wihout undue exertion.
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Confidence is the greatest friend.
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The sage wears coarse clothes, concealing jade.
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I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct.
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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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Cultivate virtue in yourself, and it will be true.
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Conquering the world and changing it, I do not think it can succeed.
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Being satisfied with little, you can gain much. Seeking much you will go astray. The wise heeds this precept. If it could be so with all people!
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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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The leader's main job is to make themselves obsolete.
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The female always surpasses the male with stillness. In her stillness she is yielding.
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The virtuous carry out the settlement, but those without virtue pursue their claims.
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He who is great must make humility his base. He who is high must make lowliness his foundation. Thus, princes and kings in speaking of themselves use the terms "lonely," "friendless," "of small account." Is not this making humility their base?
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Everything will settle in its own place automatically.
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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.