Lao Tzu Quotes
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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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Do not fear the aging of the body for it is the body's way of seeking the root.
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All men desire to free themselves solely from death; they do not know how to free themselves from life.
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The whole world says that my Way is great like nothing else. It is great because it is like nothing else. If it were like everything else, it would long ago have become insignificant.
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The fourth (of the four cardinal virtues) is supportiveness: this manifests as service to others without expectation of reward. (Paraphrased: Such service is not a mere conforming to some external rule of behavior, but instead a manifestation of your original nature).
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The moment truth is asserted, it becomes false.
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Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Be still and allow the mud to settle.
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He who is able to conquer others is powerful; he who is able to conquer himself is more powerful.
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The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.
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When equal armies battle, the grieving one will be victorious.
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A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants.
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Goodness strives not, and therefore it is not rebuked.
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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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By steadily disciplining the animal nature, until it becomes one pointed, it is possible to establish conscious awareness of The Eternal.
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What is well rooted cannot be pulled up. What is firmly grasped will not slip loose. It will be honoured from generation to generation.
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Why did the ancients praise the Way? Did they not say it was because you find what you seek and are saved from your wrongdoings?
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Understanding others is knowledge, Understanding oneself is enlightenment; Conquering others is power, Conquering oneself is strength.
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Whatever one cultivates, is what one becomes.
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Nature does not have to insist.
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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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Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.
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Failure is the foundation of success: success is the lurking place of failure.
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Do you think you can make the world a better place? I do not think you can. It is already perfect.
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The wise leader settles for good work and then lets others have the floor.