Discover a wealth of wisdom and insight from Lao-Tzu through their most impactful and thought-provoking quotes and sayings. Expand your perspective with their inspiring words and share these beautiful Lao-Tzu quote pictures with your friends and followers on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blog - all free of charge. We've compiled the top 692 Lao-Tzu quotes for you to explore and share with others.

Before the birth of all things, there existed an undifferentiated whole. A solitary void: unchanging, yet operating everywhere, without exhaustion. It is therefore considered the source of everything. I do not know its true name, although some call it Tao. If compelled to characterize it, I would simply call it great. For to be great implies that it is far-reaching, to be far-reaching implies distance, and to be distant implies returning to the source. Thus the Tao is great, Heaven is great, Earth is great, the wise person is also great. In the universe there are four great ones, and the wise person is one of them. The wise person follows the laws of Earth, Earth follows the laws of Heaven, and Heaven follows the law of Tao. The Tao, with nothing to follow, is natural unto itself. By Lao-Tzu Great Tao Heaven Earth Wise

There was something undifferentiated and yet complete, which existed before Heaven and Earth. Soundless and formless, it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger. It may be considered the mother of the universe. I do not know its name; I call it Tao. By Lao-Tzu Earth Heaven Complete Undifferentiated Existed

He does not make himself seen,therefore he is bright;he does not deem himself to be right,therefore he is illustrious;he does not brag,therefore he has merit;he does not boast,therefore he lasts long.It is only because he does not contendthat no one in the world contends with him.(Daode jing, 22, part.) By Lao-Tzu Daode Part Bright Illustrious Merit

No one can insult me, because I do not want respect.No one can defeat me, because I have given up the idea of winning.How can you defeat me? You can only defeat someone who wants to win. By Lao-Tzu Defeat Insult Respectno Idea Winninghow

Choose food, clothing, and shelter that accords with nature.Rely on your own body for transportation. Allow your work and your recreation to be one and the same. Do exercise that develops your whole being and not just your body. Listen to music that bridges the three spheres of your being. Choose leaders for their virtue rather than their wealth or power. Serve others and cultivate yourself simultaneously. Understand that true growth comes from meeting and solving problems of life in a way that is harmonizing to yourself and to others. If you can follow these simple old ways, you will be continually renewed. By Lao-Tzu Clothing Food Transportation Shelter Accords

Do you want to improve the world?I don't think it can be done.The world is sacred.It can't be improved.If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.There is a time for being ahead,a time for being behind;a time for being in motion,a time for being at rest;a time for being vigorous,a time for being exhausted;a time for being safe,a time for being in danger.The Master sees things as they are,without trying to control them.She lets them go their own way,and resides at the center of the circle. By Lao-Tzu Time Master World Object Rest

All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is; By Lao-Tzu Beautiful World Beauty Idea Ugliness

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil. By Lao-Tzu Ugliness Beauty Heaven Good Evil

And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him. By Lao-Tzu Excellence Wrangle Position Highest Low

Following the Universal Way means practicing selflessness and extending virtue to the world unconditionally. In this way one not only eliminates the heavy contamination accumulated throughout many lifetimes but may also bring about the possibility of restoring one's original divine nature and become an integral being of the multi-universe. By Lao-Tzu Universal Unconditionally Practicing Selflessness Extending

When things (in the vegetable world) have displayed their luxuriant growth, we see each of them return to its root. By Lao-Tzu Things World Growth Root Vegetable

Unencumbered by any concept of sin, the Master doesn't see evil as a force to resist, but simply as an opaqueness, a state of self-absorption which is in disharmony with the universal process, so that, as with a dirty window, the light can't shine through. This freedom from moral categories allows him his great compassion for the wicked and the selfish. By Lao-Tzu Master Unencumbered Sin Resist Opaqueness

A good traveler has no fixed plansand is not intent upon arriving.A good artist lets his intuitionlead him wherever it wants.A good scientist has freed himself of conceptsand keeps his mind open to what is.Thus the Master is available to all peopleand doesn't reject anyone.He is ready to use all situationsand doesn't waste anything.This is called embodying the light.What is a good man but a bad man's teacher?What is a bad man but a good man's job?If you don't understand this, you will get lost,however intelligent you are.It is the great secret. By Lao-Tzu Good Man Bad Master Teacher

What is a good man but a bad man's teacher. What is a bad man but a good man's job. By Lao-Tzu Man Good Bad Teacher Job

When beauty is defined, illusions of non-beauty manifestWhen goodness is identified, badness becomes an option By Lao-Tzu Defined Illusions Identified Badness Option

I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. 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. By Lao-Tzu Prize Precious Things Hold Fast

The flexible are preserved unbroken. The bent become straight. The empty are filled. The exhausted become renewed. The poor are enriched. The rich are confounded. Therefore the sage embraces the one. Because he doesn't display himself, people can see his light. Because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his words. Because he doesn't know who he is, people recognize themselves in him. Because he has no goal in mind, everything he does succeeds. The old saying that the flexible are preserved unbroken is surely right! If you have truely attained wholeness, everything will flock to you. By Lao-Tzu People Flexible Preserved Unbroken Straight

From this community of feeling comes a kingliness of character; and he who is king-like goes on to be heaven-like. By Lao-Tzu Character Heavenlike Community Feeling Kingliness

The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days. By Lao-Tzu Days Power Intuitive Understanding Protect

Use convention to govern a state, use surprise in waging war, use disinterest to take the world. How do I know this is so? When there are many taboos in the world, the people grow poorer and poorer. When the people have many weapons, the nation grows more benighted. When the people are very crafty, weird things arise more and more. The greater the articulation of rules of law, the more brigands and outlaws there are. Therefore a wise rulers says, If I contrive nothing, the people will naturally be civilized. If I am fond of tranquility, the people will naturally be upright. If I am disinterested, the people will naturally become rich. If I want not to want, the people will naturally be innocent. By Lao-Tzu People Naturally World State War

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants. By Lao-Tzu Great Perishes Morality Duty Flourish

Thus it is said:The path into the light seems dark,the path forward seems to go back,the direct path seems long,true power seems weak,true purity seems tarnished,true steadfastness seems changeable,true clarity seems obscure,the greatest are seems unsophisticated,the greatest love seems indifferent,the greatest wisdom seems childish.The Tao is nowhere to be found.Yet it nourishes and completes all things. By Lao-Tzu Path Greatest Tao Things Light

One who knows does not say it; one who says does not know it. Block the openings, Shut the doors, Soften the glare, Follow along old wheel tracks; Blunt the point, Untangle the knots. This is known as dark identity. Thus you cannot get close to it, nor can you keep it at arms length; you cannot bestow benefit on it, nor can you do it harm; you cannot ennoble it, nor can you debase it. Hence it is the most valued. By Lao-Tzu Shut Soften Follow Blunt Untangle

Simplicity, patience, compassion.These three are your greatest treasures.Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.Patient with both friends and enemies,you accord with the way things are.Compassionate toward yourself,you reconcile all beings in the world. By Lao-Tzu Simplicity Patience Compassionthese Thoughts World

The best fighter is never angry. By Lao-Tzu Angry Fighter

He who possesses virtue in abundance may be compared to an infant. By Lao-Tzu Infant Possesses Virtue Abundance Compared

Only those who do not use life as a reason for artificialities are intelligently valuing life. By Lao-Tzu Life Reason Artificialities Intelligently Valuing

He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love. By Lao-Tzu Heaven Love Secure Defends Save

In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it. By Lao-Tzu Water World Submissive Weak Attacking

You render the small vast and few many,use integrity to repay hatred,see the complexity in simplicity,find the vast in the minute. By Lao-Tzu Vast Minute Render Small Manyuse

The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you. By Lao-Tzu Water Supreme Good Nourishes Things

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. By Lao-Tzu Dwelling Live Ground Close Thinking

As to the roaming of sages,They move in utter emptiness,Let their minds meander in the great nothingness;They run beyond conventionAnd go through where there is no gateway.They listen to the soundlessAnd look at the formless,They are not constrained by societyAnd not bound to its customs.- Lao-tzu By Lao-Tzu Laotzu Nothingness Customs Roaming Sagesthey

He who feels puncturedMust once have been a bubble,He who feels unarmedMust have carried arms,He who feels belittledMust have been consequential,He who feels deprivedMust have had privilege. By Lao-Tzu Feels Privilege Puncturedmust Bubblehe Unarmedmust

Express yourself completely. Then keep quiet. Be like the forces of nature; When it blows, there is only wind; When it rains, there is only rain; When the clouds pass, the sun shines through. By Lao-Tzu Express Completely Quiet Rains Rain

De wijze heeft geen onwrikbare beginselen. Hij past zich aan anderen aan.(Free translation into English: The wise man has no firm principles. He adapts to others.) By Lao-Tzu Beginselen Free English Wijze Heeft

Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know. By Lao-Tzu Speak

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 yourself. By Lao-Tzu Change Realize Things Hold Master

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. By Lao-Tzu Master Place Carpenter Control Future

Obscure as muddied water. But, with stillness, muddy waters clear. Can you also act while remaining still? By Lao-Tzu Obscure Muddied Stillness Muddy Clear

Too much brightness blinds the eyes. Too much sound deafens the ears. Too much flavour ruins the tongue. Chasing desires to excess turns your mind towards madness, and valuing precious things impairs good judgment. By Lao-Tzu Eyes Brightness Blinds Ears Tongue

With these three qualities, it cannot be made the subject of description; and hence we blend them together and obtain The One. By Lao-Tzu Qualities Description Made Subject Blend

He who is self-conceited has no superiority allowed to him. By Lao-Tzu Selfconceited Superiority Allowed

From self-complacency, and therefore he acquires superiority. By Lao-Tzu Selfcomplacency Superiority Acquires

Know the male, but hold to the female. Imagine a river flowing through a valley, never departing from its original path. Do this and you will return to a state of innocence. Perceive the bright, but hold to the dark. Like a river, let yourself flow with virtue, and set a faultless example for the world. Do this and you will return to a state of perfection. Be aware of honour, but hold to humility. Like a valley, let virtue fill you, sufficient yet everlasting. Do this and you will return to the state of the uncarved block. By Lao-Tzu Hold Return State Male Female

If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present. By Lao-Tzu Living Past Depressed Future Anxious

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. By Lao-Tzu Watch Words Thoughts Actions Character

Look, and it can't be seen.Listen, and it can't be heard.Reach, and it can't be grasped.Above, it isn't bright.Below, it isn't dark.Seamless, unnamable,it returns to the realm of nothing.Form that includes all forms,image without an image,subtle, beyond all conception.Approach it and there is no beginning;follow it and there is no end.You can't know it, but you can be it,at ease in your own life.Just realize where you come from:this is the essence of wisdom. By Lao-Tzu Seenlisten Heardreach Graspedabove Brightbelow Darkseamless

A great nation is like a great man:When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.Having realized it, he admits it.Having admitted it, he corrects it.He considers those who point out his faultsas his most benevolent teachers.He thinks of his enemyas the shadow that he himself casts. By Lao-Tzu Great Ithaving Man Mistake Casts

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. By Lao-Tzu Understand Overcome Vigor Loss Eternal

Anyone who doesn't respect a teacher or cherish a student may be clever, but has gone astray. By Lao-Tzu Clever Astray Respect Teacher Cherish

Laozi was an ancient Chinese philosopher. According to Chinese tradition, Laozi lived in the 6th century BC, however many historians contend that Laozi By Lao-Tzu Laozi Chinese Philosopher Ancient Tradition

When the greatness of Tao is present action arises from one's own heart When the greatness of Tao is absent action comes from the rules of "kindness" and "justice" If you need rules to be kind and just, if you act virtuous, this is a sure sign that virtue is absent Thus we see the great hypocrisy Only when the family loses its harmony do we hear of "dutiful sons" Only when the state is in chaos do we hear of "loyal ministers By Lao-Tzu Tao Greatness Hear Absent Action

But I have heard that he who is skilful in managing the life entrusted to him for a time travels on the land without having to shun rhinoceros or tiger, and enters a host without having to avoid buff coat or sharp weapon. By Lao-Tzu Tiger Weapon Heard Skilful Managing

The master leadsby emptying people's mindsand filling their cores,by weakening their ambitionand toughening their resolve. By Lao-Tzu Resolve Master Leadsby Emptying People

If you overesteem great men,people become powerless.If you overvalue possessions,people begin to steal.The Master leadsby emptying people's mindsand filling their cores,by weakening their ambitionand toughening their resolve.He helps people lose everythingthey know, everything they desire,and creates confusionin those who think that they know. By Lao-Tzu Master People Overesteem Great Menpeople

Rushing into action, you fail.Trying to grasp things, you lose them.Forcing a project to completion,you ruin what was almost ripe.Therefore the Master takes actionby letting things take their course.He remains as calm at the end as at the beginning.He has nothing,thus has nothing to lose.What he desires is non-desire;what he learns is to unlearn.He simply reminds peopleof who they have always been.He cares about nothing but the Tao.Thus he can care for all things. By Lao-Tzu Things Master Rushing Action Nondesire

It as non-existent (and not named). By Lao-Tzu Nonexistent Named

Without going out-of-doors, one can know all he needs to know. Without even looking out of his window, one can grasp the nature of everything. Without going beyond his own nature, one can achieve ultimate wisdom. Therefore, the intelligent man knows all he needs to know without going away, And sees all he needs to see without looking elsewhere, And does all he needs to do wihout undue exertion. By Lao-Tzu Nature Window Grasp Wisdom Exertion

The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing. By Lao-Tzu Thing Kingdom Spiritlike Active

The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence. I am like an infant which has not yet smiled. I look dejected and forlorn, as if I had no home to go to. The multitude of men all have enough and to spare. I alone seem to have lost everything. My mind is that of a stupid man; I am in a state of chaos.Ordinary men look bright and intelligent, while I alone seem to be benighted. They look full of discrimination, while I alone am dull and confused. I seem to be carried about as on the sea, drifting as if I had nowhere to rest. All men have their spheres of action, while I alone seem dull and incapable, like a rude borderer.(Thus) I alone am different from other men, but I value the nursing-mother (the Tao). By Lao-Tzu Men Pleased Banquet Spring Satisfied

There is no calamity greater than lavish desires.There is no greater guilt than discontentment.And there is no greater disaster than greed. By Lao-Tzu Greater Greed Calamity Lavish Desiresthere

The great Tao is universal like a flood ... All creatures depend on it, and it denies nothing to anyone. It does its work, but it makes no claims for itself. It clothes and feeds all, but it does not lord it over them. By Lao-Tzu Tao Flood Great Universal Creatures

Intellectual knowledge exists in and of the brain.Because the brain is part of the body, which must one day expire, this collection of facts, however large and impressive, will expire as well.Insight, however, is a function of the spirit.Because your spirit follows you through cycle after cycle of life, death, and rebirth, you have the opportunity of cultivating insight in an ongoing fashion.Refined over time, insight becomes pure, constant, and unwavering.This is the beginning of immortality. By Lao-Tzu Expire Cycle Insight Death Constant

The ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people. By Lao-Tzu People Ruler Attains Wholeness Correct

Giving birth without possessing, animating without subjecting,fostering without dominating. By Lao-Tzu Giving Possessing Animating Dominating Birth

Be the chief but never the lord. By Lao-Tzu Lord Chief

To lead people, walk beside them. By Lao-Tzu People Walk Lead

The best of all leaders is the one who helps people so that eventually they don't need him. By Lao-Tzu Leaders People Eventually

To lead people, you must follow behind. By Lao-Tzu People Lead Follow

Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Startwith what they know. Build with what they have. But with the bestleaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people willsay 'We have done this ourselves. By Lao-Tzu People Live Learn Love Startwith

Heaven and earth do not act from (the impulse of) any wish to be benevolent; they deal with all things as the dogs of grass are dealt with. By Lao-Tzu Heaven Benevolent Earth Act Impulse

Big trees grow from sprouts, tall buildings rise from mounds of earth; the loftiest heights start at your feet. By Lao-Tzu Big Sprouts Tall Earth Feet

If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter,you will only hurt your hand. By Lao-Tzu Hand Cut Wood Master Carpenteryou

Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look at the stars. This practice should answer the question. By Lao-Tzu Agitated Imagine Universe Stars Desert

The five colors make man's eyes blind, the five notes make his ears deaf, the five tastes injure his palate. By Lao-Tzu Make Blind Deaf Palate Colors

Racing and hunting madden our minds. By Lao-Tzu Racing Minds Hunting Madden

The stiff and unyielding are the companions of death, while the yielding and tender are the companions of life. Therefore we see that unbending armies cannot conquer, and the strongest tree feels the axe. The mighty will fall down low, but the humble will rise up. By Lao-Tzu Companions Death Life Stiff Unyielding

The unnamable is the eternally real. Naming is the origin of all particular things. By Lao-Tzu Real Unnamable Eternally Naming Things

31 against warWeapons are unhappy tools,not chosen by thoughtful people,to be used only when there is no choice,and with a calm, still mind,without enjoyment.To enjoy using weaponsis to enjoy killing people,and to enjoy killing peopleis to lose your share in the common good ... By Lao-Tzu Enjoy Killing Calm Good Warweapons

When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts. By Lao-Tzu Hearts Pure Sincerity Forms Outwardly

Do not conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance. Thorns spring up when an army passes. Years of misery follow a great victory. Do only what needs to be done without using violence. By Lao-Tzu Force Resistance Conquer World Thorns

To bear and not to own; to act and not lay claim; to do the work and let it go: for just letting it go is what makes it stay. By Lao-Tzu Claim Stay Bear Act Lay

Life must be poetry, a song, a dance, like a flower on the roadside, blossoming for no one in particular, but spreading its fragrance in the wind, and sending it anywhere. By Lao-Tzu Life Poetry Song Dance Roadside

The Formless WayWe look at it, and do not see it; it is invisible.We listen to it, and do not hear it; it is inaudible.We touch it, and do not feel it; it is intangible.These three elude our inquiries, and hence merge into one.Not by its rising, is it bright,nor by its sinking, is it dark.Infinite and eternal, it cannot be defined.It returns to nothingness.This is the form of the formless, being in non-being.It is nebulous and elusive.Meet it, and you do not see its beginning.Follow it, and you do not see its end.Stay with the ancient Wayin order to master what is present.Knowing the primeval beginning is the essence of the Way. By Lao-Tzu Formless Wayin Inquiries Rising Sinking

Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream, couting prayer beads no more scared than simply breathing, religious robed no more spiritual than work clothes. By Lao-Tzu Chanting Stream Couting Breathing Religious

Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe. By Lao-Tzu Ordinary Solitude Men Hate Master

The space between Heaven and Earthis it not like a bellows? By Lao-Tzu Heaven Earthis Bellows Space

May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a bellows? By Lao-Tzu Bellows Space Heaven Earth Compared

Stop thinking, and end your problems. By Lao-Tzu Stop Thinking Problems End

The more laws and restrictions there are,The poorer people become. ... The more rules and regulations,The more thieves and robbers. By Lao-Tzu Laws Restrictions Arethe Poorer People

Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of his nature. By Lao-Tzu Abstaining Nature Speech Marks Obeying

A skillful soldier is not violent, an able fighter does not rage, a mighty conqueror does not give battle, a great commander is a humble man By Lao-Tzu Violent Rage Battle Man Skillful

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete. By Lao-Tzu Hoard Sage Heaven Benefits Harm

An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox. By Lao-Tzu Ant Move Dozing

Touch ultimate emptiness,Hold steady and still.All things work together:I have watched them reverting,And have seen how they flourishAnd return again, each to his roots.This, I say, is the stillness:A retreat to one's roots;Or better yet, returnTo the will of God,Which is, I say, to constancy.The knowledge of constancyI call enlightenment and sayThat not to know itIs blindness that works evil.But when you knowWhat eternally is so,You have statureAnd stature means righteousnessAnd righteousness is kinglyAnd kingliness divineAnd divinity is the WayWhich is final.Then, though you die,You shall not perish. By Lao-Tzu Touch Rootsthis Stillness Roots Returnto

Where there are more restrictions and prohibitions, there is also more poverty. Where there are many sharp weapons, there is also more chaos. Where the people are full of clever schemes, there are also strange outcomes. Where there are many laws and edicts, there is also an abundance of criminals. Therefore, the wise person: Practices non-action so that the people are naturally transformed. Welcomes quietude so that the people will naturally be civilized. Does not interfere so that the people will naturally be prosperous. By Lao-Tzu People Prohibitions Poverty Naturally Restrictions

Therefore the place of what is firm and strong is below, and that of what is soft and weak is above. By Lao-Tzu Place Firm Strong Soft Weak

When people devote themselves to somethingthey always ruin it on the verge of success.Finish with the same care you took in beginningand you'll avoid ruining things. By Lao-Tzu Things People Devote Somethingthey Ruin

A good traveler leaves no tracks. Good speech lacks fault-finding. By Lao-Tzu Tracks Good Traveler Leaves Faultfinding

Everything under heaven is a sacred vessel and cannot be controlled. Trying to control leads to ruin. Trying to grasp, we lose. Allow your life to unfold naturally. Know that it too is a vessel of perfection. Just as you breathe in and breathe out, there is a time for being ahead and a time for being behind; a time for being in motion and a time for being at rest; a time for being vigorous and a time for being exhausted; a time for being safe and a time for being in danger. By Lao-Tzu Time Controlled Heaven Sacred Vessel

A man can achieve his own happiness only by pursuing the happiness of others, because it is only by forgetting about his own happiness that he can become happy. By Lao-Tzu Happiness Happy Man Achieve Pursuing

(So), he who has the attributes (of the Tao) regards (only) the conditions of the engagement, while he who has not those attributes regards only the conditions favourable to himself. By Lao-Tzu Tao Conditions Attributes Engagement Favourable

Weapons are never the implements of good fortune, and they are to be detested. Therefore, the wise leader avoids them. Normally the wise leader values patience, but when at war he values action. Since he is opposed to the use of weapons, he uses them only when it is unavoidable, and even then with great restraint. To praise victory in war is to rejoice in the slaughter of men. The slaughter of men causes grief and sorrow to the people, therefore he who rejoices in this will not be successful. Fortune follows the restrained, misfortune follows the ambitious. Therefore victory in war should not be celebrated, but instead should be met with mourning. By Lao-Tzu War Detested Wise Implements Good

LoveEmbracing Tao, you become embraced.Supple, breathing gently, you become reborn.Clearing your vision, you become clear.Nurturing your beloved, you become impartial.Opening your heart, you become accepted.Accepting the World, you embrace Tao.Bearing and nurturing,Creating but not owning,Giving without demanding,Controlling without authority,This is love. By Lao-Tzu Tao World Loveembracing Embracedsupple Breathing

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. By Lao-Tzu Life Series Natural Spontaneous Reality

The road you can talk about is not the road you can walk on By Lao-Tzu Road Talk Walk

To speak little is natural. Therefore a gale does not blow a whole morning nor does a downpour last a whole day. By Lao-Tzu Natural Speak Day Gale Blow

When the Master governs, the peopleare hardly aware that he exists.Next best is a leader who is loved.Next, one who is feared.The worst is one who is despised.If you don't trust people,you make them untrustworthy.The Master doesn't talk, he acts.When his work is done,the people say, Amazing:we did it, all by ourselves! By Lao-Tzu Master Amazing Governs Lovednext Talk

For the sageHeaven and Earth joinin bestowing the greatest gifts By Lao-Tzu Earth Gifts Sageheaven Joinin Bestowing

The hard and mighty lie beneath the groundWhile the tender and weak dance on the breeze above. By Lao-Tzu Hard Mighty Lie Beneath Groundwhile

Countless words count less than the silent balance between yin and yang By Lao-Tzu Countless Yang Words Count Silent

Two names emerge from a single origin and both are called mysterious. By Lao-Tzu Mysterious Emerge Single Origin Called

When people see some things as beautiful,other things become ugly.When people see some things as good,other things become bad. By Lao-Tzu Things People Bad Beautifulother Uglywhen

To know non-knowing is optimalto imagine one knowsis affliction of mind By Lao-Tzu Mind Nonknowing Optimalto Imagine Knowsis

Who acts in stillness finds stillness in his life. By Lao-Tzu Life Stillness Acts Finds

Earth is a divine organismit cannot be successfully manipulatedWho attempts manipulation will encounter defeat By Lao-Tzu Earth Defeat Divine Organismit Successfully

Too many words cause exhaustion[In the mind or from the mouth]Better to abide in stillness By Lao-Tzu Exhaustion Mouth Stillness Words Mind

There isa time to liveand a time to diebut never to reject the moment. By Lao-Tzu Time Moment Isa Liveand Diebut

How can one know the eternal origin?By letting go of ideasand allowing it to reveal itself By Lao-Tzu Origin Eternal Letting Ideasand Allowing

Perfect tranquillity is the way of heaven and earth. By Lao-Tzu Perfect Earth Tranquillity Heaven

Peace is our original state By Lao-Tzu Peace State Original

Emptiness appears barrenyet is infinite fullness By Lao-Tzu Emptiness Fullness Barrenyet Infinite

Revere the unity of all-that-iscarry out your daily activities with compassion;if you do not limit your compassion,you yourself will not be limited. By Lao-Tzu Revere Compassion Limited Unity Daily

Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. Be like the Tao. It can't be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed, honored or brought into disgrace. It gives itself up continually. That is why it endures. By Lao-Tzu Talk Tao Close Mouth Block

To know people is wisdom, but to know yourself is enlightenment. To master people takes force, but to master yourself takes strength. To know contentment is wealth, and to live with strength resolve. To never leave whatever you are is to abide, and to die without getting lost - that is to live on and on. By Lao-Tzu People Wisdom Enlightenment Master Strength

Men are born soft and supple; dead they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail. By Lao-Tzu Dead Born Stiff Soft Men

If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees. By Lao-Tzu Gods Trees Lightning Anger Concerned

The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. By Lao-Tzu Things Occupying Striving Contrary Dislike

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it. By Lao-Tzu Water Softer Flexible Resist

All in the world think themselves great, but the great are not concerned. Indeed, only by not being concerned can they be great. If they cared about being great, they'd eventually become petty. By Lao-Tzu Great Concerned World Petty Cared

He who knows the masculine but keeps to the feminine,Becomes the ravine of the world.Being the ravine of the world,He dwells in constant virtue,He returns to the state of the babe.He who knows the white but keeps to the black,Becomes the model of the world.Being the model of the world,He rests in constant virtue,He returns to the infinite.He who knows glory but keeps to disgrace,Becomes the valley of the world.Being the valley of the world,He finds contentment in constant virtue,He returns to the Uncarved Block. By Lao-Tzu Worldbeing Constant Virtuehe Returns Worldhe

I thought I know you,but it was only me.The you that you truly areis not the you I see.My mind has formed your imagebut you have already travelled onI want to see only youbut I see you through me By Lao-Tzu Thought Youbut Methe Areis Seemy

Who thinks his great achievements poorShall find his vigour long endure.Of greatest fulness, deemed a void,Exhaustion ne'er shall stem the tide.Do thou what's straight still crooked deem;Thy greatest art still stupid seem,And eloquence a stammering scream. By Lao-Tzu Thy Fulness Deemed Deem Scream

The grandest forms of active forceFrom Tao come, their only source.Who can of Tao the nature tell?Our sight it flies, our touch as well.Eluding sight, eluding touch,The forms of things all in it crouch;Eluding touch, eluding sight,There are their semblances, all right.Profound it is, dark and obscure;Things' essences all there endure.Those essences the truth enfoldOf what, when seen, shall then be told.Now it is so; 'twas so of old.Its name--what passes not away;So, in their beautiful array,Things form and never know decay. By Lao-Tzu Eluding Tao Things Sight Touch

Lao Tzu The key to growth is the introductionof higher dimensions of consciousnessinto our awareness. By Lao-Tzu Tzu Lao Awareness Key Growth

When the court is arrayed in splendor, The fields are full of weeds, And the granaries are empty. Some wear gorgeous clothes, Carry sharp swords, And indulge in food and drink; They have more possessions than they can use. They are robber barons. This is certainly not the way of Tao. By Lao-Tzu Splendor Weeds Empty Court Arrayed

Do that which consists in taking no action;Pursue that which is not meddlesome;Savor that which has no flavor.Make the small big and the few many;Do good to him who has done you an injury.Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult;Make something big by starting with it when small.Difficult things in the word must needs have their beginnings in the easy;Big things must needs have their beginnings in the small.Therefore it is because the sage never attempts to be great that he succeeds in becoming great.One who makes promises rashly rarely keeps good faith;One who is in the habit of considering things easy meets with frequent difficulties.Therefore even the sage treats some things as difficult.That is why in the end no difficulties can get the better of him. By Lao-Tzu Things Big Beginnings Sage Good

Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains (in his proper place), indifferent to them. By Lao-Tzu Remains Place Indifferent Brilliant Prospects

Your life is a piece of clay; don't let anyone else mold it for you. By Lao-Tzu Clay Life Piece Mold

To know that you do not know is the best.To think you know when you do not is a disease.Recognizing this disease as a disease is to be free of it. By Lao-Tzu Disease Bestto Diseaserecognizing Free

When there is silence one finds the anchor of the universe within oneself By Lao-Tzu Oneself Silence Finds Anchor Universe

Some say that my teaching is nonsense.Other call it lofty but impractical.But to those who have looked inside themselves,this nonsense makes perfect sense.And to those who put it into practice,this loftiness has roots that go deep. By Lao-Tzu Deep Teaching Nonsenseother Call Lofty

We put thirty spokes together and call it a wheel,But it is on the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the wheels depends.We turn clay to make vessel,But it is on the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the vessel depends.We pierce doors and windows to make a house,And it is on these spaces where there is nothing that the usefulness of the house depends.Therefore just as we take advantage of what is, we should recognize the usefulness of what is not. By Lao-Tzu Usefulness Space Make Dependswe Spaces

To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence.The next best, the people honor and praise.The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say,We did it ourselves! By Lao-Tzu People Walk Lead Leaders Leader

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 insidethat holds whatever we want.We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner spacethat makes it livable.We work with being, but non-being is what we use. By Lao-Tzu Makes Wheel Pot House Join

In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them. By Lao-Tzu Feared Despised

The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in honours. By Lao-Tzu Doth Ariseth Cast Goodness Praise

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself. By Lao-Tzu White Snow Goose Bathe Make

When things are murky, quiet down, and they will gradually clear. Proceed, and momentum gradually builds. By Lao-Tzu Murky Quiet Clear Proceed Gradually

Not asserted, therefore known, Not boasted of, therefore of worth, Not contentious, so enduring. It's because the wise do not contend, That no one can contend with them. By Lao-Tzu Asserted Worth Contentious Enduring Boasted

Things' essences all there endure. By Lao-Tzu Things Endure Essences

Those essences the truth enfold By Lao-Tzu Enfold Essences Truth

The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys rose from a (small) heap of earth; the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single step. By Lao-Tzu Small Sprout Heap Earth Step

Plan for the difficult while it is still easy. The greatest things in the world are done while still slight. So wise leaders never do big things; that's how they achieve greatness. By Lao-Tzu Plan Easy Difficult Things Slight

Colors blind the eye Sounds deafen the ear.Flavors numb the taste.Thoughts weaken the mind.Desires wither the heart. By Lao-Tzu Sounds Colors Heart Blind Eye

Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy (the craving of) the belly, and not the (insatiable longing of the) eyes. By Lao-Tzu Eyes Satisfy Belly Insatiable Sage

Be simply yourself and don't compare or compete By Lao-Tzu Compete Simply Compare

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you. By Lao-Tzu Compete Content Simply Compare Respect

There is no disaster greater than not being content; There is no misfortune greater than being covetous. By Lao-Tzu Greater Content Covetous Disaster Misfortune

He will strike the blow, but will be on his guard against being vain or boastful or arrogant in consequence of it. By Lao-Tzu Blow Strike Guard Vain Boastful

Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Have the patience to wait! Be still and allow the mud to settle. By Lao-Tzu Water Understand Straining Muddy Wait

Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear? By Lao-Tzu Clear Patience Wait Mud Settles

There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; By Lao-Tzu Ambition Guilt Greater Sanction

Its name - what passes not away; By Lao-Tzu Passes

In pursuit of knowledge, every day something is acquired. In pursuit of wisdom, every day something is dropped. By Lao-Tzu Pursuit Day Knowledge Acquired Wisdom

Allow the heart to empty itself of all turmoil! Retrieve the utter tranquility of the mind from which you issued.Although all forms are dynamic,and we all grow and transform,each of us is compelled to return to our root. Our root is quietude. By Lao-Tzu Turmoil Heart Empty Root Retrieve

My teachings are easy to understand and easy to put into practice.Yet your intellect will never grasp them,and if you try to practice them,you'll fail.My teachings are older than the world.How can you grasp their meaning?If you want to know me,Look inside your heart. By Lao-Tzu Teachings Easy Grasp Practice Failmy

The giant tree starts out as the tiniest shoot, the tallest tower starts out as a single brick, the longest journey starts with the first step. By Lao-Tzu Starts Shoot Brick Step Giant

Therefore he who would administer the kingdom, honouring it as he honours his own person, may be employed to govern it, and he who would administer it with the love which he bears to his own person may be entrusted with it. By Lao-Tzu Administer Person Kingdom Honouring Honours

Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven. By Lao-Tzu Creative Great Heaven Sublimity Owe

Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions. By Lao-Tzu Good Sublimity Supreme Succeeding Beautiful

The world's most difficult affairsbegin in easiness.The world's greatest affairsalways begin in the small. By Lao-Tzu Small World Difficult Affairsbegin Easinessthe

If the people never fear death,what is the purpose of threatening to kill them?If the people ever fear death,and I were to capture and kill those who are devious,who would dare to be so?If the people must be ever fearful of death,then there will always be an executioner.Now,To kill in place of the executionerIs likeHewing wood in place of the master carpenter;Few indeed will escape cutting their own hands! By Lao-Tzu People Place Kill Fear Carpenter

Guidance is creative, efficacy develops, people give shape, implements complete. That is why all people honor guidance and value efficacy. The nobility of guidance and the value of efficacy are not granted by anyone, but naturally so of themselves. Guidance creates, nurtures, develops, matures, brings to fruition, nourishes, sustains, and shelters. It is creative without possessiveness, constructive without conceit, develops without coercion; this is called unobtrusive efficacy. By Lao-Tzu Guidance Efficacy Shape Implements Complete

Live in a good place. Keep your mind deep. Treat others well. Stand by your word. Make fair rules. Do the right thing. Work when it's time. By Lao-Tzu Live Place Good Deep Treat

Loss is not as bad as wanting more. By Lao-Tzu Loss Bad Wanting

Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. By Lao-Tzu Violence Intentioned Oneself Rebounds

You don't have to go out the door to know what goes on in the world. You don't have to look out the window to see the way of heaven. The farther you go, the less you know. So the wise soul doesn't go, but knows; doesn't look, but sees; doesn't do, but gets it done. By Lao-Tzu World Door Heaven Window Farther

Would you like to save the world from the degradation and destruction it seems destined for? Then step away from shallow mass movements and quietly go to work on your own self-awareness. If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation. By Lao-Tzu Save Degradation Destruction Destined World

Whoever knows what is enough Will be happy with his fate. By Lao-Tzu Fate Happy

A sage traveling all dayis never far from the supplies in his cart,and however spectacular the viewshe remains calm and composed. By Lao-Tzu Composed Sage Traveling Dayis Supplies

The gentlest thing in the worldovercomes the hardest thing in the world.That which has no substanceenters where there is no space.This shows the value of non-action.Teaching without words,performing without actions:that is the Master's way. By Lao-Tzu Thing Master Actions Gentlest Worldovercomes

If you don't stand sincere by your wordshow sincere can the people be?Take great care over words, treasure them. By Lao-Tzu Words Treasure Sincere Stand Wordshow

People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure. By Lao-Tzu People Succeed Handlings Affairs Fail

Allow your life to unfold naturally Know that it too is a vessel of perfection Just as you breathe in and breathe out Sometimes you're ahead and other times behind Sometimes you're strong and other times weak Sometimes you're with people and other times alone By Lao-Tzu Times Breathe Life Unfold Naturally

262."Be square but do not cut; be sharp but do not stab; be straight forward but do not unrestrained; be bright but do not dazzle. By Lao-Tzu Cut Stab Unrestrained Dazzle Square

A man is born into certain relationships and as a result has certain duties. For instance, he has a duty of loyalty to his lord, a filial duty to his parents, a duty to help his friends, and a duty of common humanity towards his fellow beings. By Lao-Tzu Duty Duties Man Born Relationships

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. By Lao-Tzu Strength Courage Deeply Loved Loving

Wild winds never last all morningand fierce rains never last all day. By Lao-Tzu Wild Day Winds Morningand Fierce

When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating. By Lao-Tzu Embrace Separating Intelligent Animal Souls

Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her. By Lao-Tzu Oneself Convince Accepts Approval Content

So there are established sayings: Guidance to enlightenment seems nonsensical. Guidance to progress seems backwards. Guidance to equality seems to classify. Higher efficacy seems at a loss. Great purity seems like shame. Broad effectiveness seems insufficient. Constructive effectiveness seems casual. Basic reality seems changeable. A great expanse has no shores. A large container takes a long time to make. Important news is rarely heard. By Lao-Tzu Guidance Nonsensical Established Enlightenment Effectiveness

The World has a First Cause, which may be regarded as the Mother of the World. When one has found the Mother, one can know the Child. Knowing the Child and still keeping the Mother, to the end of his days he shall suffer no harm. By Lao-Tzu World Mother Child Regarded Found

Mastering others is strength. Mastering oneself makes you fearless. By Lao-Tzu Mastering Strength Fearless Oneself Makes

Knowing others is wisdom;Knowing the self is enlightenment.Mastering others requires force;Mastering the self requires strength;He who knows he has enough is rich.Perseverance is a sign of will power. By Lao-Tzu Knowing Mastering Requires Wisdom Force

One who understands others has knowledge; one who understands himself has wisdom. Mastering others requires force; mastering the self needs strength. By Lao-Tzu Understands Knowledge Wisdom Mastering Force

Attain complete emptiness,Hold fast to stillness.Understanding the ordinary: Mind opens.Mind opening leads to compassion,Compassion to nobility,Nobility to heavenliness,Heavenliness to TAO. TAO endures. Your body dies.There is no danger. By Lao-Tzu Mind Tao Attain Ordinary Complete

Sometimes you must yield in order to win, and sometimes maintaining a low place leads you to win. By Lao-Tzu Win Yield Order Maintaining Low

The way that is bright seems dull. The way forward seems to lead back. The smooth way seems rough. The highest virtue seems a valley. The purest whiteness seems stained. Excessive virtue seems defective. Solid virtue seems inactive. By Lao-Tzu Dull Virtue Bright Back Forward

It carries them through their processes and does not vaunt its ability in doing so; By Lao-Tzu Carries Processes Vaunt Ability

The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.Their wisdom was unfathomable.There is no way to describe it;all we can describe is their appearance.They were carefulas someone crossing an iced-over stream.Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.Courteous as a guest.Fluid as melting ice.Shapable as a block of wood.Receptive as a valley.Clear as a glass of water.Do you have the patience to waittill your mud settles and the water is clear?Can you remain unmovingtill the right action arises by itself?The Master doesn't seek fulfillment..Not seeking, not expecting,she is present, and can welcome all things. By Lao-Tzu Describe Masters Master Clear Fulfillment

He who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will. By Lao-Tzu Firm Acting Energy

The Master, by residing in the Tao,sets an example for all beings.Because he doesn't display himself,people can see his light.Because he has nothing to prove,people can trust his words.Because he doesn't know who he is,people recognize themselves in him.Because he has no goal in mind,everything he does succeeds. By Lao-Tzu Master Taosets Succeeds Residing Beingsbecause

Make the earth a dwelling place. Cultivate the heart and mind. Practice benevolence. Stand by your word. Govern with equity. Serve skillfully. Act in a timely way, without contentiousness, free of blame. By Lao-Tzu Make Place Earth Dwelling Cultivate

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good. By Lao-Tzu Words Truthful Beautiful Good Persuasive

The softest thing in the world dashes against and overcomes the hardest; that which has no (substantial) existence enters where there is no crevice. By Lao-Tzu Substantial Hardest Existence Crevice Softest

Let him keep his mouth closed, and shut up the portals (of his nostrils), and all his life he will be exempt from laborious exertion. By Lao-Tzu Closed Portals Nostrils Exertion Mouth

When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error. By Lao-Tzu Men Rest Error Free Risk

Shrinking looked they like those who wade through a stream in winter; By Lao-Tzu Shrinking Winter Looked Wade Stream

The Tao that can be described is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. By Lao-Tzu Tao Enduring Unchanging

Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency. By Lao-Tzu Sufficiency Contentment Enduring Unchanging

The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name. By Lao-Tzu Named Enduring Unchanging

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar. By Lao-Tzu Scholar Cherishes Love Comfort Fit

The (method of) correction shall by a turn become distortion, and the good in it shall by a turn become evil. By Lao-Tzu Turn Method Correction Distortion Evil

All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being. By Lao-Tzu Things World Nonbeing

They shall wear elegant and ornamented robes, carry a sharp sword at their girdle, pamper themselves in eating and drinking, and have a superabundance of property and wealth; - such (princes) may be called robbers and boasters. By Lao-Tzu Princes Robes Carry Girdle Pamper

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder. By Lao-Tzu Lost Conduct Benevolence Expedience Virtue

Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever. By Lao-Tzu Master Things Teaches Acts Arise

Wasting energy to obtain rare objects only impedes one's growth. By Lao-Tzu Wasting Growth Energy Obtain Rare

Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech. By Lao-Tzu Speech Sage Manages Affairs Conveys

Trying to control the world?I see you won't succeed.The world is a spiritual vesselAnd cannot be controlled.Those who control, fail.Those who grasp, lose.Some go forth, some are led,Some weep, some blow flutesSome become strong, some superfluous,Some oppress, some destroyed.Therefore the Sage,Casts off extremes,Casts off excess,Casts off extravagance. By Lao-Tzu Control World Failthose Grasp Losesome

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. LaoTzu. Just make sure that you step in the right direction. By Lao-Tzu Journey Thousand Miles Begins Single

One gains by losing and loses by gaining. By Lao-Tzu Gaining Gains Losing Loses

The inner is foundation of the outerThe still is master of the restlessThe Sage travels all dayyet never leaves his inner treasure By Lao-Tzu Sage Treasure Foundation Outerthe Master

If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself.If you want to eliminate suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself.For truly, the greatest gift you have to offer humanity,is your own transformation. ~Lao Tzu By Lao-Tzu Awaken Eliminate Humanity World Transformation

Learn from the people Plan with the people Begin with what they have Build on what they know Of the best leaders When the task is accomplished The people will remark We have done it ourselves. By Lao-Tzu People Plan Begin Build Learn

One who practices virtue and selflessness should not hold any particular idea in his mind about how to fulfill his virtue, for virtue is the very nature of one's being. By Lao-Tzu Virtue Practices Selflessness Hold Idea

The simple child again, free from all stains. By Lao-Tzu Free Stains Simple Child

Thus it is said:The path into light seems dark,the path forward seems to go back,the direct path seems long,true power seems weak ... the greatest love seems indifferent,the greatest wisdom seems childish. By Lao-Tzu Path Weak Light Darkthe Forward

The strong wind cannot last the whole morning, the torrential rain cannot last all day. It is nature that causes these things, but even nature cannot cause them to go on forever. If nature cannot do this, then certainly man cannot do so. By Lao-Tzu Morning Day Nature Strong Wind

Let him keep his mouth open, and (spend his breath) in the promotion of his affairs, and all his life there will be no safety for him. By Lao-Tzu Open Spend Breath Affairs Mouth

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses. By Lao-Tzu Love Strongest Head Senses Passions

Heaven's Tao is impartial,yet those who follow its compassionate waywill always be nourished By Lao-Tzu Tao Heaven Nourished Impartialyet Follow

How know I that it is so with all the beauties of existing things? By Lao-Tzu Things Beauties Existing

The sage, while clad in homespun, conceals on his person a priceless piece of jade. By Lao-Tzu Sage Homespun Conceals Jade Clad

He who conquers others is strong;He who conquers himself is mighty. By Lao-Tzu Conquers Strong Mighty

He who conquers other has force; he who conquers himself has strength. By Lao-Tzu Conquers Force Strength

In the end,The treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go. By Lao-Tzu Endthe Treasure Life Missed Hold

The ego is a monkey catapulting through the jungle: fascinated by the realm of the senses it swings from one desire to the next, one conflict to the next. Let this monkey go. Let desires go. Let conflicts go. Let ideas go. Just remain in the center, watching. By Lao-Tzu Monkey Jungle Fascinated Ego Catapulting

that of the mind is in abysmal stillness; By Lao-Tzu Stillness Mind Abysmal

If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it. By Lao-Tzu Change Ruin Hold Lose

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. By Lao-Tzu Things Small Difficult Easy Great

I know hereby what advantage belongs to doing nothing (with a purpose). By Lao-Tzu Purpose Advantage Belongs

The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. By Lao-Tzu Superiors People Suffer Famine Multitude

Having arrived at this point of non-action, there is nothing which he does not do. By Lao-Tzu Nonaction Arrived Point

9 Holding a cup and overfilling it Cannot be as good as stopping short Pounding a blade and sharpening it Cannot be kept for long1 Gold and jade fill up the room No one is able to protect them Wealth and position bring arrogance And leave disasters upon oneself2 When achievement is completed, fame is attained Withdraw oneself3 This is the Tao of Heaven By Lao-Tzu Holding Gold Withdraw Heaven Pounding

It is only by this moderation that there is effected an early return (to man's normal state). By Lao-Tzu Return State Moderation Effected Early

The skilful closer needs no bolts or bars, while to open what he has shut will be impossible; By Lao-Tzu Bars Impossible Skilful Closer Bolts

The best rulers are scarcely known by their subjects;The next best are loved and praised;The next are feared;The next despised:They have no faith in their people,And their people become unfaithful to them.When the best rulers achieve their purposeTheir subjects claim the achievement as their own. By Lao-Tzu Rulers Subjects Praised Feared Despised

(Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. By Lao-Tzu Appeared Shrewdness Hypocrisy Wisdom Ensued

56. Manifest plainness and embrace the genuine; lessen self-interest and make few your desires. By Lao-Tzu Manifest Genuine Lessen Desires Plainness

With virtue and quietness one may conquer the world. By Lao-Tzu World Virtue Quietness Conquer

Higher good is like water:the good in water benefits all,and does so without contention.It rests where people dislike to be,so it is close to the Way.Good ground;profound is the good in its heart,Benevolent the good it bestows. By Lao-Tzu Good Water Higher Ground Profound

Existence is beyond the power of wordsTo define:Terms may be usedBut are none of them absolute.In the beginning of heaven and earth there were no words,Words came out of the womb of matter;And whether a man dispassionatelySees to the core of lifeOr passionatelySees the surface,The core and the surfaceAre essentially the same,Words making them seem differentOnly to express appearance.If name be needed, wonder names them both:From wonder into wonderExistence opens. By Lao-Tzu Terms Core Existence Define Matter

One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others. By Lao-Tzu Water Reflect Streaming Internal Peace

The sages do not act from (any wish to be) benevolent; they deal with the people as the dogs of grass are dealt with. By Lao-Tzu Benevolent Sages Act Deal People

A good traveler leaves no tracks. By Lao-Tzu Tracks Good Traveler Leaves

The sage gives more than he takes;how can he do this?because he has the richness of Tao By Lao-Tzu Tao Sage Richness

Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves; By Lao-Tzu Employ Men Superior Ability People

Nothing under heavenis as yielding as water.And yet in attacking the hard,the unyielding,nothing can surpass it.Nothing can take its place.The weak overcomes the strong,the soft surpasses the hard.In all the world, there's no onewho doesn't know this,but no one can master the practice. By Lao-Tzu World Practice Heavenis Yielding Waterand

There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it; - for there is nothing (so effectual) for which it can be changed. By Lao-Tzu Water Effectual Changed World Soft

Gently eliminating all obstacles to his own understanding, he constantly maintains his unconditional sincerity. His humility, perseverance, and adaptability evoke the response of the universe and fill him with divine light. By Lao-Tzu Gently Understanding Sincerity Eliminating Obstacles

Work at things before they've begunand establish order before confusion sets in,for a tree you can barely reach aroundgrows from the tiniest rootlet,a nine-tiered towerstarts as a basket of dirt,a thousand-mile journeybegins with a single step. By Lao-Tzu Work Step Things Begunand Establish

Govern large countrieslike you cook little fish. By Lao-Tzu Govern Fish Large Countrieslike Cook

Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong. By Lao-Tzu Fluid Water Soft Yielding Rigid

Water is fluid, soft & yielding but water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield ... what is soft is strong. By Lao-Tzu Water Fluid Yielding Rock Yield

Where there is lack of faith, There is a lack of respect. Employ reticence, and care with words. When the work is done and the task complete The people will say: 'It just happened. By Lao-Tzu Lack Faith Respect Employ Reticence

When we can lay hold of the Tao of old to direct the things of the present day, and are able to know it as it was of old in the beginning, this is called (unwinding) the clue of Tao. By Lao-Tzu Tao Unwinding Day Beginning Called

It is the child that sees the primordial secret of Nature and it is the child of ourselves we return to. the child within us is simple and daring enough to live the Secret. By Lao-Tzu Child Secret Nature Primordial Return

unpretentious like wood that has not been fashioned into anything; By Lao-Tzu Unpretentious Wood Fashioned

Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take;Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make;The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste;The chariot course, and the wild hunting wasteMake mad the mind; and objects rare and strange,Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change. By Lao-Tzu Music Colour Eyes Make Taste

True words are not fancy. Fancy words are not true. The good do not debate. Debaters are not good. By Lao-Tzu Words True Fancy Good Debate

Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect. By Lao-Tzu Perfection Imperfect Willingness

He who devotes himself to the Tao (seeks) from day to day to diminish (his doing). By Lao-Tzu Tao Seeks Day Diminish Devotes

Therefore the sage, in the exercise of his government, empties their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens their bones. By Lao-Tzu Sage Government Empties Minds Fills

When reconciling great hatred there will some remain. How can it be made good? Therefore the wise man accepts the debit side of the account and does not have to enforce payment from others. By Lao-Tzu Remain Reconciling Great Hatred Good

Ruling a large kingdom is like cooking a small fish ... By Lao-Tzu Ruling Fish Large Kingdom Cooking

Your inner being guard, and keep it free. By Lao-Tzu Guard Free

Thirty spokes share one hub in non-being lies the use of the cart knead clay to make vessels in non-being lies the use of the vessel cut out doors and windows to make a housetherefore form being comes what is usable and from non-being comes what is essential. By Lao-Tzu Nonbeing Lies Make Thirty Essential

If you are untrustworthy, people will not trust you. By Lao-Tzu Untrustworthy People Trust

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment. By Lao-Tzu Respond Treatment Intelligently Unintelligent

The (state of) vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree, and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour. By Lao-Tzu State Vacancy Degree Vigour Brought

If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness. By Lao-Tzu Cast Wicked Person Awaken Words

The reality of the building does not consist of the roof and walls, but the space within to be lived. By Lao-Tzu Walls Lived Reality Building Consist

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. By Lao-Tzu Kindness Confidence Creates Words Profoundness

Thirty spokes share the hub of a wheel;yet it is its center that makes it useful.You can mould clay into a vessel;yet, it is its emptiness that makes it useful.Cut doors and windows from the walls of a house;but the ultimate use of the housewill depend on that part where nothing exists.Therefore, something is shaped into what is;but its usefulness comes from what is not. By Lao-Tzu Makes Thirty Wheel Vessel House

Knowing others is intelligence;knowing yourself is true wisdom.Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. By Lao-Tzu Knowing True Intelligence Strength Mastering

What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly. By Lao-Tzu Calls End Butterfly Caterpillar Rest

The people make light of dying because of the greatness of their labours in seeking for the means of living. By Lao-Tzu Living People Make Light Dying

A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live. By Lao-Tzu Man Dares Courage Die Live

By this (nature of the Tao). By Lao-Tzu Tao Nature

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. By Lao-Tzu

From self-assertion, and therefore he is distinguished; By Lao-Tzu Selfassertion Distinguished

The Way to do is to be. By Lao-Tzu

no fault greater than the wish to be getting. By Lao-Tzu Fault Greater

No calamity greater than to be discontented with one's lot; By Lao-Tzu Lot Calamity Greater Discontented

An over sharpened sword cannot last long. By Lao-Tzu Long Sharpened Sword

He who overcomes others is strong; By Lao-Tzu Strong Overcomes

When things flourish they decline. By Lao-Tzu Decline Things Flourish

The best runner leaves no tracks By Lao-Tzu Tracks Runner Leaves

By letting go it all gets done. By Lao-Tzu Letting

If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness. By Lao-Tzu Sharpened Sharpness Point Feeling Long

The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel depends. By Lao-Tzu Nave Space Axle Depends Thirty

Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it. By Lao-Tzu Govern Fish Great Nation Cook

If the people must be ever fearful of death, then there will always be an executioner. By Lao-Tzu Death Executioner People Fearful

Many historians contend that Laozi actually lived in the 4th century BC, which was the period of Hundred Schools of Thought and Warring States Period, while others contend he was a mythical figure. Laozi was credited with By Lao-Tzu Period Hundred Schools Thought Warring

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it. By Lao-Tzu Governing Fish Great Nation Cooking

Evanescent like ice that is melting away; By Lao-Tzu Evanescent Ice Melting

Moved by deep love, a man is courageous.And with frugality, a man becomes generous,And he who does not desire to be ahead of theworld becomes the leader of the world. By Lao-Tzu Man Moved Love Frugality World

He who knows other men is discerning;he who knows himself is intelligent.He who overcomes others is strong;he who overcomes himself is mighty.He who is satisfied with his lot is rich;he who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will.He who does not fail in the requirements of his position, continues long;he who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity. By Lao-Tzu Overcomes Firm Discerning Strong Rich

The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. A victory should be celebrated with the funeral rite. By Lao-Tzu Sorrow Slaying Multitudes Mourned Rite

Let go of rousing speechand identification with thoughtsUntil your endyou will never be jaded By Lao-Tzu Jaded Rousing Speechand Identification Thoughtsuntil

Close your mouth,block off your senses,blunt your sharpness,untie your knots,soften your glare,settle your dust.This is the primal identity. By Lao-Tzu Close Identity Mouthblock Sensesblunt Sharpnessuntie

Some lose yet gain, others gain and yet lose. By Lao-Tzu Lose Gain

The Tao, when brightest seen, seems light to lack;Who progress in it makes, seems drawing back;Its even way is like a rugged track.Its highest virtue from the vale doth rise;Its greatest beauty seems to offend the eyes;And he has most whose lot the least supplies.Its firmest virtue seems but poor and low;Its solid truth seems change to undergo;Its largest square doth yet no corner showA vessel great, it is the slowest made;Loud is its sound, but never word it said;A semblance great, the shadow of a shade. By Lao-Tzu Great Tao Loud Virtue Doth

That the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another; and that being before and behind give the idea of one following another. By Lao-Tzu Musical Notes Tones Harmonious Relation

One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him. By Lao-Tzu Views Finds Insistent Agree

Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, earnestly carry it into practice. By Lao-Tzu Tao Scholars Class Earnestly Practice

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. By Lao-Tzu Care Prisoner People

If you want to govern the people,You must place yourself below them.If you want to lead people,You must learn how to follow them. By Lao-Tzu Peopleyou Govern Place Themif Lead

Possessed of the Tao, he endures long; and to the end of his bodily life, is exempt from all danger of decay. By Lao-Tzu Tao Possessed Long Life Decay

Those who know don't tell.Those who tell don't know.from 56 By Lao-Tzu Knowfrom Tellthose

Anything great is long in making. By Lao-Tzu Making Great Long

A man who knows how little he knows is well, a man who knows how much he knows is sick. If, when you see the symptoms, you can tell, Your cure is quick.A sound man knows that sickness makes him sick and before he catches it his cure is quick. By Lao-Tzu Man Sick Cure Symptoms Quick

Peace in Every step By Lao-Tzu Peace Step

Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens. By Lao-Tzu Ambition Heavens Heel Nailed Stretch

When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal. By Lao-Tzu Action Good Universal Abstinence Order

There is no greater illusion than fear,no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself,no greater misfortune than having an enemy. By Lao-Tzu Greater Enemy Illusion Fearno Wrong

Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found. By Lao-Tzu Stop Arrive Leaving Found Searching

Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream. By Lao-Tzu Water Dream Success Careful Lookout

If I were suddenly to become known, and (put into a position to) conduct (a government) according to the Great Tao, what I should be most afraid of would be a boastful display. By Lao-Tzu Conduct Tao Great Put Government

Upon disaster depends good fortune;within good fortune hides disaster.Where will it end?For nothing is certain;what is correct goes astray;what is right goes wrong.Our confusion goes on and on. By Lao-Tzu Good Fortune End Astray Disaster

The people are difficult to govern because of the (excessive) agency of their superiors (in governing them). By Lao-Tzu Excessive Agency Superiors People Difficult

The getting that (favour) leads to the apprehension (of losing it), and the losing it leads to the fear of (still greater calamity): - this is what is meant by saying that favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared. By Lao-Tzu Leads Losing Favour Apprehension Calamity

Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends. By Lao-Tzu Clay Vessels Hollowness Depends Fashioned

Constant action overcomes cold; being still overcomes heat. By Lao-Tzu Constant Cold Heat Overcomes Action

The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong. By Lao-Tzu Hard Strong Soft Overcomes Weak

He who overcomes himself is mighty. By Lao-Tzu Mighty Overcomes

Calm and repose are what he prizes; victory (by force of arms) is to him undesirable. By Lao-Tzu Victory Calm Prizes Arms Undesirable

Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires. By Lao-Tzu Manifest Plainness Embrace Simplicity Reduce

If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly. By Lao-Tzu Righteousness Kindly Renounce Benevolence Discard

True perfection seems imperfect,yet it is perfectly itself.True fullness seems empty,yet it is fully present.True straightness seems crooked.True wisdom seems foolish.True art seems artless. By Lao-Tzu True Artless Perfection Imperfectyet Perfectly

Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear. By Lao-Tzu Muddy Water Stand Clear

Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? By Lao-Tzu Make Clear Water Muddy

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy. By Lao-Tzu Greatest Health Possession Contentment Treasure

Not-knowing is true knowledge.Presuming to know is a disease.First realize that you are sick;then you can move toward health. By Lao-Tzu Notknowing Sick Health True Knowledgepresuming

Pursue that which is not meddlesome. By Lao-Tzu Pursue Meddlesome

Why do the people starve? It is because those at the top eat too much, and taxes are too high. This is why the people starve. Why are the people difficult to lead? It is because those in authority are meddlesome in their affairs. This is why the people are difficult to lead. By Lao-Tzu People Starve Lead Difficult High

When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven. By Lao-Tzu Heaven Distinguished Work Withdraw Obscurity

When one knows that he is his mother's child, and proceeds to guard (the qualities of) the mother that belong to him, to the end of his life he will be free from all peril. By Lao-Tzu Mother Child Guard Peril Proceeds

A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. By Lao-Tzu Morning Day Violent Wind Sudden

Three men in ten conserve life; three men in ten pursue death. Three men also in ten desire to live, but there acts hasten their journey to the house of death. Why is this? Because of their efforts to preserve life. By Lao-Tzu Men Ten Death Life Conserve

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. By Lao-Tzu Simplicity Patience Compassion Teach Things

An ocean of ink in a single drop,Trembling at the tip of my brush.Poised above stark white paper,A universe waits for existence. By Lao-Tzu Existence Ocean Ink Single Droptrembling

Every journey begins with a single step. By Lao-Tzu Step Journey Begins Single

The difficult problems in life always start off being simple. Great affairs always start off being small. By Lao-Tzu Start Simple Difficult Problems Life

As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it. By Lao-Tzu Thought Laugh Made

Nothingness and Beingness are merely conceptions ... By Lao-Tzu Beingness Nothingness Conceptions

When I let go of who I am, I become who I might be. By Lao-Tzu

The Sage sees the worldas an expansion of his own selfSo what need has he to accumulate things? By Lao-Tzu Sage Things Worldas Expansion Selfso

Without stirring abroad, One can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes The less one knows. By Lao-Tzu Abroad World Heaven Stirring Window

Boasting of wealth and virtue brings your demise. By Lao-Tzu Boasting Demise Wealth Virtue Brings

Heaven and Earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord. By Lao-Tzu Earth Heaven Guidance Unite Dew

Respond to anger with virtue. Deal with difficulties while they are still easy. Handle the great while it is still small. By Lao-Tzu Respond Virtue Anger Deal Easy

The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms. By Lao-Tzu Transforms Reason Universe Eternal Live

He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily). By Lao-Tzu Easily Firm Walk Tiptoes Stretches

If the force of arms is considered the only means of authority, it is not an auspicious instrument. By Lao-Tzu Authority Instrument Force Arms Considered

This is a subtle insight: the flexible overcomes the strong and unyielding. By Lao-Tzu Insight Unyielding Subtle Flexible Overcomes

The sage shuns excess, shuns grandiosity, shuns arrogance. By Lao-Tzu Shuns Excess Grandiosity Arrogance Sage

It brings them to maturity and exercises no control over them; - By Lao-Tzu Brings Maturity Exercises Control

If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers. By Lao-Tzu Gain Scheming Robbers Renounce Artful

Highly evolved people have their own conscience as pure law. By Lao-Tzu Highly Law Evolved People Conscience

Love is a decision - not an emotion! By Lao-Tzu Love Decision Emotion

The way of heaven is to help and not harm. By Lao-Tzu Harm Heaven

So it is that some things are increased by being diminished, and others are diminished by being increased. By Lao-Tzu Increased Diminished Things

To want to rule the world is to want to pamper this body. When you don't prize this body, you don't want to rule the world. By Lao-Tzu Body Rule World Pamper Prize

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. By Lao-Tzu Fill Spill Bowl Brim Blunt

The tree too thick to embraceemerges from a seedling.A nine-storey tower rises from a brick.A thousand-mile journey begins under your feet. By Lao-Tzu Feet Tree Thick Embraceemerges Seedlinga

Thus it was that when faith (in the Tao) was deficient (in the rulers) a want of faith in them ensued (in the people). By Lao-Tzu Tao Faith Deficient Rulers Ensued

A person who prematurely believes that they comprehend the Tao sees only its external luster, and this is the beginning of delusion. By Lao-Tzu Tao Luster Delusion Person Prematurely

Material and infinite are inseparableAppreciating their interconnectednessis the gateway to understanding By Lao-Tzu Material Understanding Infinite Inseparableappreciating Interconnectednessis

Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is. By Lao-Tzu Earth Heaven Tao Law Man

Tao 'is' before wordsand before deeds By Lao-Tzu Tao Deeds Wordsand

For to be over-developed is to hasten decay, and this is against Tao, and what is against Tao will soon cease to be. By Lao-Tzu Tao Decay Overdeveloped Hasten Cease

This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao). By Lao-Tzu Quality Tao Called Mysterious

The Tao is hidden, and has no name; but it is the Tao which is skilful at imparting (to all things what they need) and making them complete. By Lao-Tzu Tao Hidden Imparting Complete Skilful

When the highest type of men hear Tao,They diligently practice it.When the average type of men hear Tao,They half believe in it.When the lowest type of men hear Tao,They laugh heartily at it.Without the laugh, there is no Tao By Lao-Tzu Men Hear Type Taothey Tao

Stand before it and there is no beginning. Follow it and there is no end. Stay with the ancient Tao, Move with the present. By Lao-Tzu Stand Beginning Tao Move Follow

Too much thinking causes confusion and anxietybetter to stick with the simplicity of Tao By Lao-Tzu Tao Thinking Confusion Anxietybetter Stick

With those who are sincerethe sage is sincereWith those who are insincerethe sage is also sincerebecause the way of Tao is sincerity By Lao-Tzu Sage Tao Sincerity Sincerethe Sincerewith

(Those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the Tao) did not (seek) to show them, and therefore they possessed them (in fullest measure). By Lao-Tzu Seek Tao Attributes Measure Possessed

When men lost their understanding of the Tao, intelligence came along, bringing hypocrisy with it. By Lao-Tzu Tao Intelligence Bringing Men Lost

The Tao is (like) the emptiness of a vessel; and in our employment of it we must be on our guard against all fulness. By Lao-Tzu Tao Vessel Fulness Emptiness Employment

Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao. By Lao-Tzu Tao

The grace of Taoand divine nature (Te)are not orderedbut eternal spontaneousaction of the One By Lao-Tzu Taoand Nature Grace Divine Orderedbut

With those who are kindthe sage is kindWith those who are not kindthe sage is also kindbecause the way of Tao is kindness By Lao-Tzu Sage Tao Kindthe Kindness Kindwith

To understand the limitation of things, desire them. By Lao-Tzu Things Desire Understand Limitation

When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. By Lao-Tzu Tao Method Great Ceased Observed

Fishes should not be taken from the deep; instruments for the profit of a state should not be shown to the people. By Lao-Tzu Fishes Deep Instruments People Profit

The wise consider themselves "orphaned," "widowed," and "worthless." Their humility is the source of their strength. By Lao-Tzu Orphaned Widowed Worthless Wise Strength

74. If you know when to stop, you'll suffer no harm. And in this way you can last a very long time. By Lao-Tzu Stop Harm Time Suffer Long

I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any. By Lao-Tzu Concern Gods Spirits Good Evil

Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing. By Lao-Tzu Busy

So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to (the idea of) the other; By Lao-Tzu Existence Nonexistence Give Birth Idea

Creating without claiming. Doing without taking credit. Guiding without interfering. This is primal virtue. By Lao-Tzu Creating Claiming Credit Guiding Interfering

When the people have many weapons, the nation grows more benighted. By Lao-Tzu Weapons Benighted People Nation Grows

Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity. By Lao-Tzu Work Back Step Serenity Path

The person of superior integrity does not insist upon his integrity.For this reason, he has integrity.The person of inferior integritynever loses sight of his integrity;For this reason, he lacks integrity. By Lao-Tzu Reason Person Integrity Superior Insist

Having to live on, one knows better than to value life too much. By Lao-Tzu Live Life

The knowledge of that unchanging rule produces a (grand) capacity and forbearance, and that capacity and forbearance lead to a community (of feeling with all things). By Lao-Tzu Grand Capacity Forbearance Community Things

...the mind is just as immeasurable as the vast universe. An integral being settles his mind just as the vast universe settles itself. He unites his mind with the unnameable Subtle Origin of the multi-universe in which there is no past, present or future. This is how an integral being deals with his mind. By Lao-Tzu Mind Vast Universe Integral Immeasurable

The skilful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps By Lao-Tzu Footsteps Skilful Traveller Leaves Traces

Great acts are made up of small deeds. By Lao-Tzu Great Deeds Acts Made Small

The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long. By Lao-Tzu Long Burns Flame Bright Half

When one gives undivided attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can become as a (tender) babe. By Lao-Tzu Vital Breath Tender Babe Pliancy

Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle ofsoftness overcoming hardness. By Lao-Tzu Water Thing Earth Softest Penetrate

Will work but ill, and disappointment bring. By Lao-Tzu Ill Bring Work Disappointment

Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. By Lao-Tzu Rejoice Content Things Lacking Realize

We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the Inaudible. By Lao-Tzu Inaudible Listen Hear

We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holdswhatever we want. By Lao-Tzu Pot Shape Clay Emptiness Inside

Thirty spokes converge at the hub,but emptiness completes the wheel.Clay is shaped to make a pot,and what's useful is its emptiness.Carve fine doors and windows,but the room is useful in its emptiness.What isis beneficial, while what is notalso proves useful. By Lao-Tzu Thirty Beneficial Spokes Converge Hubbut

Misery and fortune share a trust.Happiness hides in misery. By Lao-Tzu Misery Fortune Share Trusthappiness Hides

If the one did not honour his master, and the other did not rejoice in his helper, an (observer), though intelligent, might greatly err about them. By Lao-Tzu Observer Master Helper Intelligent Honour

If I had just a little bit of wisdom I should walk the great path and fear only straying from it. By Lao-Tzu Bit Wisdom Walk Great Path

The skilful binder uses no strings or knots, while to unloose what he has bound will be impossible. By Lao-Tzu Knots Impossible Skilful Binder Strings

Our enemies are not demons, but human beings like ourselves By Lao-Tzu Demons Enemies Human

Kind prince there is nothing in the realm of ideas that is absolute, therefore all efforts to form ideologies are ultimately futile. By Lao-Tzu