Lao Tzu Quotes
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Face the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big.
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Things are not worth attending to, yet they have to be attended to.
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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 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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There is no greater mistake than to make light of an enemy By making light of an enemy many a kingdom has been lost.
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He who treasures his body as much as the world can care for the world.
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Wise travelers always stop short before they come to danger.
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Fine words are traded. Noble deeds gain respect. But people who are not good, why abandon them?
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Keep your mouth shut, and close up the doors of sight and sound, and as long as you live you will have no vexation. But open your mouth, or become inquisitive, and you will be in trouble all your life long.
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To be of few words is natural.
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For all things difficult to acquire, the intelligent man works with perseverance.
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He does not seek power - yet people follow him.
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Weapons are not proper instruments for gentle people; they use them only when they have no other choice. Peace and quiet are what they value. They do not glory in victory.
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The surest test if a person be sane, is if she accepts life whole, as it is.
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Knowing others is to be clever. Knowing yourself is to be enlightened. Overcoming others requires force. Overcoming yourself requires strength.
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The difficult problems in life always start off being simple. Great affairs always start off being small.
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For one gains by losing And loses by gaining.
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Knowing the future is the flower of the Way, and the beginning of folly.
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Going back to the origin is called peace; it means reversion to destiny. Reversion to destiny is called eternity. Those who know eternity are called enlightened.
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Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
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Simple, like uncarved wood.
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By compassion one can be brave.
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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.
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Those who know it do not speak about it. Those who speak about it do not know it.