Lao Tzu Quotes
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First, we must do our own personal work, then we tend the necessary work of our family, then our community, then the world.
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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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In the Golden Age, Rulers were unknown. In the following age Rulers were loved and praised. Next came the age When rulers were feared. Finally the age When rulers are hated.
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Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.
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The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.
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The sage wears clothes of coarse cloth but carries jewels in his bosom; He knows himself but does not display himself; He loves himself but does not hold himself in high esteem.
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Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.
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If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
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The words of truth are always paradoxical. To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.
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The best way to live / is to be like water / For water benefits all things / and goes against none of them.
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The further one goes, the less (he realizes he) one knows.
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The more sharp weapons people have in a country, the bigger the disorder will be.
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Though (the Tao) is uncreated itself, it creates all things. Because it has no substance, it can enter into where there is no space. Exercising by returning to itself, winning victories by remaining gentle and yielding, it is softer than anything, and therefore overcomes everything hard.
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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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Returning to the source is serenity.
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The mature person perceives the fruitlessness of rigid, external methodologies; Remembering this, he keeps his attitude unstructured at all times and thus is always free to pursue the Integral Way. He studies the teachings of the masters. He dissolves all concepts of duality. He pours himself out in service to others.
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Life is going forth; death is returning home.
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The mature person perceives the fruitlessness of rigid, external methodologies.
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Prepare for the difficult while it is still easy. Deal with the big while it is still small. Difficult undertakings have always started with what easy. Great undertakings always started with what is small. Therefore the sage never strives for the great,And thereby the great is achieved.
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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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Favor and disgrace are like fear. Favor is in a higher place, and disgrace in a lower place. When you win them you are like being in fear, and when you lose them you are also like being in fear. So favor and disgrace are like fear.
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When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
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Heaven's net is very vast. It is sparsely meshed, yet nothing slips through.
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The best fighter is never angry.