Lao Tzu Quotes
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Can you let go of words and ideas, attitudes and expectations? If so, then the Tao will loom into view.
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The truth often sounds paradoxical.
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The sage is one with the world, and lives in harmony with it.
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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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See simplicity in the complicated. Achieve greatness in little things.
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The Way of Tao is this: It strives not, but conquers; It speaks not, but all is made clear; It summons not, but its house is crowded; It contrives not, but the design is perfect.
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When family ties are disturbed, devoted children arise.
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The wise man, after learning something new, is afraid to learn anything more until he has put his first lesson into practice.
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Those who seek knowledge, collect something every day. Those who seek the Way, let go of something every day.
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First and last follow each other.
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Excellent soldiers are not furious.
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Those who know others are intelligent Those who know themselves have insight. Those who master others have force Those who master themselves have strength.Those who know what is enough are wealthy. Those who persevere have direction. Those who maintain their position endure. And those who die and yet do not perish, live on.
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All things of the world are born of being; being is born of nonbeing.
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The Great Vessel takes long to complete.
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The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for all beings. The Master stays behind; that is why she is ahead. She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them. Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled.
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When you accept yourself, the Universe accepts you.
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The wise are not learned, the learned are not wise.
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Everything in the universe is created from something, which in turn is created from nothing.
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To know and not to do is not yet to know.
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If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve. Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter's place. When you handle the master carpenter's tools, chances are that you'll cut your hand.
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He who has achieved this state Is unconcerned with friends and enemies, With good and harm, with honor and disgrace. This therefore is the highest state of man.
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Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose.
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All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.
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Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.