Lao Tzu Quotes
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Because of a great love, one is courageous.
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If people do not revere the Law of Nature It will adversely affect them. If they accept It with knowledge and reverence, It will accommodate them with balance and harmony.
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Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.
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If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
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He who holds balance...has attained the highest post in the world.
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If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind.
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Highest good is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes closest to the way.
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Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
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If you understand others you are smart. If you understand yourself you are illuminated. If you overcome others you are powerful. If you overcome yourself you have strength. If you know how to be satisfied you are rich. If you can act with vigor, you have a will. If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting. If you die without loss, you are eternal.
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To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.
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The more sharp weapons people have in a country, the bigger the disorder will be.
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The wise man looks back into the past, and does not grieve over what is far off, nor rejoice over what is near; for he knows that time is without end.
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When the Way is lost there is virtue. When virtue is lost there is benevolence. When benevolence is lost there is righteousness. When righteousness is lost there are rituals.
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The great Way is all-pervading. It reaches to the left and to the right. All things depend on it with their existence. Still it demands no obedience.
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It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.
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Returning to the source is serenity.
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Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
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The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be.
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When everyone sees good, then bad exists.
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All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being.
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Searching for precious goods leads astray.
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People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff.
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We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move. We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want. We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it livable. We work with being, but non-being is what we use.
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Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.