Lao Tzu Quotes
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The master understands that the universe is forever out of control.
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Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world.
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Pride attaches undue importance to the superiority of one's status in the eyes of others; and shame is fear of humiliation at one's inferior status in the estimation of others. When one sets one's heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he or she is automatically involved in fear of losing status.
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When people see some things as good, other things become bad.
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The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms.
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The sage knows himself, but does not parade. He cherishes himself, but does not praise himself.
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Use justice to rule a country. Use surprise to wage war. Use non-action to govern the world.
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Those who praise victory relish manslaughter. Those who relish manslaughter cannot reach their goals in the world.
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The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more; having given all he has to others, he is richer still.
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To rule by knowledge ravages the country.
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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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Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
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Those who know when to halt are unharmed.
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There is no illusion great than fear.
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Gently eliminating all obstacles to his own understanding, he constantly maintains his unconditional sincerity. His humility, perseverance, and adaptability evoke the response of the universe and fill him with divine light.
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Take care with the end as you do with the beginning.
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In the Universe the difficult things are done as if they were easy.
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A violent wind does not last for a whole morning.
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If you scramble about in search of inner peace, you will lose your inner peace.
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Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.
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Nothing and no one in the world is valuable or worthless.
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How do I know about the world? By what is within me.
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Words have divided man from woman, one from another, this from that, until only sages know how to put things together. Without words, without even understanding, lovers find each other. The moment of finding is always a surprise, like meeting an old friend never before known.
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Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life.