Lao Tzu Quotes
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The purpose of life is the investigation of the Sun, the Moon, and the heavens.
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A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is.
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Lightly given promises must meet with little trust.
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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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Great, it passes on (in constant flow).
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Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice. Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter his heart. Because he has given up helping, he is people's greatest help. True words seem paradoxical.
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He who hoards much loses much.
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Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place.
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Face the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big.
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Distortion upon distortion: . . . the more one uses the mind, the more confused one becomes.
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All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power.
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Things are not worth attending to, yet they have to be attended to.
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Intellectual knowledge exists in and of the brain. Because the brain is part of the body, which must one day expire, this collection of facts, however large and impressive, will expire as well. {But spiritual insight transcends death.}
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He does not seek power - yet people follow him.
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The grandest virtue seems deficient.
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When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance.
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The valley spirit never dies. It is called the mystical female.
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The great Way is very straight, but people prefer to deviate.
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Knowing the future is the flower of the Way, and the beginning of folly.
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People aren't against you; they are for themselves. The most dangerous risk of all - the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later. He who conquers others is strong, he who conquers himself is mighty.
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By moderation one can be generous.
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If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.
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To be of few words is natural.
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The Tao is great. The universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great. These are the four great powers. Man follows the earth. Earth follows the universe. The universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself.