Lao Tzu Quotes
-
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.
-
Those who are quiet value the words. When their task is completed, people will say: We did it ourselves.
-
He does not seek power - yet people follow him.
-
Great, it passes on (in constant flow).
-
The leader is best, When people are hardly aware of his existence, Not so good when people praise his government, Less good when people stand in fear, Worst, when people are contemptuous. Fail to honor people, and they will fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who speaks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, The people say, 'We did it ourselves.'
-
Be content with an ordinary life.
-
Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little.
-
The surest test if a person be sane, is if she accepts life whole, as it is.
-
To be of few words is natural.
-
Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life.
-
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.
-
The Sage expects no recognition for what he does; he achieves merit but does not take it to himself; he does not wish to display his worth.
-
By moderation one can be generous.
-
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.
-
Being a model to the world, eternal virtue will never falter in you, and you return to the boundless.
-
The world's beginning is its mother. To have found the mother is also to know the children. Although you know the children, cling to the mother. Until your last day you will not be harmed.
-
The liberation cannot be reached but by means of the perception of the identity of the individual spirit with the universal spirit.
-
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.
-
To rule by knowledge ravages the country.
-
When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance.