Lao Tzu Quotes
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There is nothing softer and weaker than water, and yet there is nothing better for attacking hard and strong things.
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Health is the greatest possession.
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When taxes are too high, people go hungry.
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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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Without law or compulsion, men would dwell in harmony.
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When you extend your goodwill in every direction, regardless of circumstances, you begin to see that we are all one.
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If you are at peace, you are living in the present.
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Peace and quiet are preferred. Victory should not be praised.
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If you would take, you must first give.
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The first practice is the practice of undiscriminating virtue: take care of those who are deserving; also, and equally, take care of those who are not. When you extend your virtue in all directions without discriminating, you feet are firmly planted on the path that returns to the Tao.
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Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment; Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength.
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When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.
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Some help others in order to receive blessings and admiration. This is simply meaningless. Some cultivate themselves in part to serve others, in part to serve their own pride. They will understand, at best, half of the truth. But those who improve themselves for the sake of the world - to these, the whole truth of the universe will be revealed.
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The True Person benefits yet expects no reward, does the work and moves on. There is no desire to be considered better than others.
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All things in nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing. They fulfill their function and make no claim. All things alike do their work, and then we see them subside. When they have reached their bloom, each returns to its origin. . . . This reversion is an eternal law. To know that law is wisdom.
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People who have to fight for their living and are not afraid to die for it are higher persons than those who, stationed high, are too fat to dare to die.
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The sage acts by doing nothing.
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A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female.
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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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Act without doing; work without effort. Think of the small as large and the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. The Master never reaches for the great; thus she achieves greatness. When she runs into a difficulty, she stops and gives herself to it. She doesn't cling to her own comfort; thus problems are no problem for her.
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The reason for great distress is the body. Without it, what distress could there be?
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Abandon fancy theologies and imaginary ideas and do some ordinary daily work... {Engage in this work with} unswerving kindness and unending patience.
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Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.
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It is wisdom to know others. It is enlightenment to know oneself.