Lao-Tzu Quotes
Top 100 wise famous quotes and sayings by Lao-Tzu
Lao-Tzu Famous Quotes & Sayings
Discover top inspirational quotes from Lao-Tzu on Wise Famous Quotes.
It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him.
When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.
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.
Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains (in his proper place), indifferent to them.
The Wise Man is square but not sharp, honest but not not malign, straight but not severe, bright but not dazzling.
To speak little is natural. Therefore a gale does not blow a whole morning nor does a downpour last a whole day.
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.
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.
Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here.
The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.
He will strike the blow, but will be on his guard against being vain or boastful or arrogant in consequence of it.
The people are difficult to govern because of the (excessive) agency of their superiors (in governing them).
With these three qualities, it cannot be made the subject of description; and hence we blend them together and obtain The One.
When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue.
The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. A victory should be celebrated with the funeral rite.
Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found.
Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.
Become totally empty
Quiet the restlessness of the mind
Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness
Quiet the restlessness of the mind
Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness
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
A sage traveling all day
is never far from the supplies in his cart,
and however spectacular the views
he remains calm and composed.
is never far from the supplies in his cart,
and however spectacular the views
he remains calm and composed.
Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.
Their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the people all said, 'We are as we are, of ourselves!
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.
The ancients were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive. The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable. Because it is unfathomable,
The door and windows are cut out (from the walls) to form an apartment; but it is on the empty space (within), that its use depends.
There is no calamity greater than lavish desires.There is no greater guilt than discontentment.And there is no greater disaster than greed.
Nature does not play favourites, it regards its creations without sentimentality. Therefore the wise person also acts in this way.
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.
And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.
Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy (the craving of) the belly, and not the (insatiable longing of the) eyes.
If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession.
The (method of) correction shall by a turn become distortion, and the good in it shall by a turn become evil.