Lao Tzu Quotes
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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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He who knows others is clever; He who knows himself has discernment.
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Searching for precious goods leads astray.
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Simply see that you are at the center of the universe, and accept all things and beings as parts of your infinite body. When you perceive that an act done to another is done to yourself, you have understood the great truth.
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People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.
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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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All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.
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When everyone sees good, then bad exists.
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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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Profound virtue is indeed deep and wide. It leads all things back to the great order.
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To practice virtue is to selflessly offer assistance to others, giving without limitation one's time, abilities, and possessions in service, whenever and wherever needed, without prejudice concerning the identity of those in need.
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Nature is not human hearted.
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He who has no faith in others shall find no faith in them.
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Force is followed by loss of strength. This is not the way of the Tao. That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end.
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The separate parts make no carriage.
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The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.
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The further one goes, the less (he realizes he) one knows.
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Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn't try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every force there is a counterforce. Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. The Master does his job and then stops. He understands that the universe is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao. Because he believes in himself, he doesn't try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn't need others' approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him.
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Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.
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New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.
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Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.
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Nature doesn't make long speeches.
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If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.
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One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things but moves in harmony with the present moment.