Lao Tzu Quotes
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The generals have a saying: "Rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see. Rather than advance an inch it is better to retreat a yard." This is called going forward without advancing, pushing back without using weapons. There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil. Thus you destroy your three treasures and become an enemy yourself. When two great forces oppose each other, the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield.
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The one who does not stray away from her/his nature will live long.
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Quiet your mind and stop judging and resisting and manipulating the natural way.
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The wise leader settles for good work and then lets others have the floor.
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The most straight seems curved.
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Gain or loss, what is worse?
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Take care of what is difficult while it is still easy, and deal with what will become big while it is yet small.
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Empty your mind of all thoughts.
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Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
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The light of the Way seems dim.
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Seek not happiness too greedily and be not fearful of happiness.
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Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.
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The unyielding army will not win.
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The one who is conscious (in Tao) can't speak. The one who can speak is not conscious (centered in Tao)
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Even the longest journey must begin where you stand.
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Do not look only at yourself, and you will see much. Do not justify yourself, and you will be distinguished. Do not brag, and you will have merit. Do not be prideful, and your work will endure.
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A winner listens, a loser just waits until it is their turn to talk.
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Don't impose your will through manipulation of aggressive emotions and actions.
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The wise does not think that only he is right -thus he knows the truth.
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The Way of Heaven does not complete, and yet it skillfully achieves victory. It does not speak, and yet it skillfully responds to things. It comes to you without your invitation.
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Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up. Whoever embraces the Tao will not slip away. Her name will be held in honor from generation to generation. Let the Tao be present in your life and you will become genuine. Let it be present in your family and your family will flourish. Let it be present in your country and your country will be an example to all countries in the world. Let it be present in the universe and the universe will sing. How do I know this is true? By looking inside myself.
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Understand this if nothing else: spiritual freedom and oneness with the Tao are not randomly bestowed gifts, but the rewards of conscious self-transformation and self-evolution.
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Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory. - Diane Arbus By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.
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Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world.