Lao Tzu Quotes
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The purest white seems stained.
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There is no need to run outside for better seeing... Rather abide at the center of your being; For the more you leave it the less you learn. Search your heart and see... The way to do is to be.
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A foolish man is always doing, Yet much remains to be done.
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Throw away holiness and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times happier. Throw away morality and justice, and people will do the right thing. Throw away industry and profit, and there won't be any thieves. If these three aren't enough, just stay at the center of the circle and let all things take their course.
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By following this simple path, you become extraordinary, unfathomable, a being of profound cosmic subtlety. You outlive time and space by realizing the subtle truth of the universe.
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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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The wise are not learned, the learned are not wise.
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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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The things that have acquired unity are these: Heaven by unity has become clear; Earth by unity has become steady; The Spirit by unity has become spiritual; The Valley by unity has become full; All things by unity have come into existence.
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Act without expectation.
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We are all capable of much more than we think we are.
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If one desires to receive one must first give. This is called profound understanding.
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If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind.
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Become totally empty Quiet the restlessness of the mind Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness
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Before healing others, heal yourself.
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Virtue in its grandest aspect is neither more nor less than following reason.
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He who knows he has enough is rich.
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It is better not to make merit a matter of reward Lest people conspire and contend.
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Yet mystery and reality emerge from the same source.
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Gentleness brings victory to him who attacks, and safety to him who defends. Those whom Heaven would save, it fences round with gentleness.
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When leading people and serving Heaven, nothing exceeds moderation.
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It is wealth to be content.
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When merit has been achieved, do not take it to yourself; for if you do not take it to yourself, it shall never be taken from you.
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The cords of passion and desire weave a binding net around you. Worldly confrontation makes you stiff and inflexible. The trap of duality is tenacious. Bound, rigid, and trapped, you cannot experience liberation.