Lao Tzu Quotes
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In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In daily life, be competent. In action, be aware of the time and the season.
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The highest benevolence acts without purpose.
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He does not praise himself - yet he is respectable.
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The group will not prosper if the leader grabs the lion's share of the credit for the good work that has been done.
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To know that you do not know is the best. To pretend to know when you do not know is a disease.
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Knowing that you do not know is the best. Not knowing that you do not know is an illness.
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If you would take, you must first give.
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The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao. When rich speculators prosper While farmers lose their land; when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures; when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible while the poor have nowhere to turn- all this is robbery and chaos. It is not in keeping with the Tao.
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When the sage stands above people, they are not oppressed. When he leads people, they are not obstructed. The world will exalt him and not grow tired of him.
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The superior student listens to the Way and follows it closely. The average student listens to the Way and follows some and some not. The lesser student listens to the Way and laughs out loud. If there were no laughter it would not be the Way.
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The best fighter is never angry.
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The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.
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The best of all teachers is the one who helps people so that eventually they don't need him.
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I alone have the mind of a fool, and am all muddled and vague. The people are so smart and bright. While I am just dull and confused.
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Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place.
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Take time to listen to what is said without words, to obey the law too subtle to be written, to worship the unnameable and to embrace the unformed.
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The farther you go, the less you know.
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Who can enjoy enlightenment and remain indifferent to suffering in the world? This is not in keeping with the Way. Only those who increase their service along with their understanding can be called men and women of Tao.
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Without stepping out the door, you can know the world.
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The light of the Way seems dim.
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Stop thinking, and end your problems. What difference between yes and no? What difference between success and failure? Must you value what others value, avoid what others avoid? How ridiculous!
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Who can rest until the moment of action?
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Distortion upon distortion: . . . the more one uses the mind, the more confused one becomes.
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Those who advice the ruler on the Way, do not want the world subdued with weapons.