Lao Tzu Quotes
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There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more.
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The sage wears coarse clothes, concealing jade.
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A tree as wide as a man's embrace grows from a tiny shoot.
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There is no greater disaster than discontent.
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What has no substance can penetrate what has no opening.
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The master understands that the universe is forever out of control.
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Mastering others is strength. Mastering oneself makes you fearless.
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Practice non-action. Work without doing.
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If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.
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In order to contract, It is necessary first to expand. In order to weaken, It is necessary first to strengthen. In order to destroy, It is first necessary to promote. In order to grasp, It is necessary first to give. This is called subtle light. The weak and the tender overcome the hard and the strong.
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Greed is costly. Assembled fortunes are lost.
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The highest benevolence acts without purpose.
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Peace is our natural state of being.
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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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A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, the great country ought to yield.
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The sage never strives for the great, and thereby the great is achieved.
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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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The moment truth is asserted, it becomes false.
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What has not yet emerged is easy to prevent.
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The sage does not strive to be great. Thereby he can accomplish the great.
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Therefore the Sage embraces Unity, and is a model for all under Heaven. He is free from self-display, therefore he shines forth; from self-assertion, therefore he is distinguished; from self-glorification, therefore he has merit; from self-exaltation, therefore he rises superior to all. Inasmuch as he does not strive, there is no one in the world who can strive with him.
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Hold on to the great image, and the whole world follows, follows unharmed, content and completely at peace.
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Good words shall gain you honor in the marketplace, but good deeds shall gain you friends among men.
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The sage regards things as difficult, and thereby avoids difficulty.