Lao Tzu Quotes
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That so few understand me is why I am treasured.
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When everyone in the world sees beauty, then ugly exists.
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A man's excellence is like that of water; It benefits all things without striving; It takes to the low places shunned by men. Water is akin to Tao. . . . In all the earth nothing weaker than water, Yet in attacking the hard, nothing superior, Nothing so certain in wearing down strength: There is no way to resist it. Note then: The weak conquer the strong, The yielding outlast the aggressors.
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. . . integral wisdom involves a direct participation in every moment: the observer and the observed are dissolved in the light of pure awareness, and no mental concepts or attitudes are present to dim that light.
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Racing through the field and hunting make the mind wild.
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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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Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
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Stay at the center and let all things take their course.
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Who can rest until the moment of action?
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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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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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I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.
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To bear the country's disgrace is to rule the shrines of soil and grain. To bear the country's misfortunes is to be the king of the world.
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These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble.
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Only he who does not seek to be ahead of others is capable of living in harmony with everyone.
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Yielding is the manner of the Way.
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The sage regards things as difficult, and thereby avoids difficulty.
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When the worst student hears about the Way, he laughs out loud. If he did not laugh, it would be unworthy of being the Way.
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If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.
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The one who rules like the mother lasts long.
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The sage knows himself, but does not parade. He cherishes himself, but does not praise himself.
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Because clarity and enlightenment are within your own nature, they are regained without moving an inch.
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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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Without going outside, you may know the whole world, without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven. The farther you go, the less you know. Thus the sage knows without traveling; he sees without looking; he works without doing.