Explore a treasure trove of wisdom and insight from Lao-Tzu through their most impactful and thought-provoking quotes and sayings. Broaden your horizons with their inspiring words and share these beautiful quote pictures from Lao-Tzu with your friends and followers on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blog - all free of charge. Delve into our collection of the top 514 Lao-Tzu quotes, handpicked for you to discover and share with others.

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

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

The wise man is one who, knows, what he does not know. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

The moral man does something,and when no one respondshe rolls up his sleeves and uses force. By Lao-Tzu

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

Let go of rousing speechand identification with thoughtsUntil your endyou will never be jaded By Lao-Tzu

When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

Those who do not lose their base endure. Those who die but do not perish have longevity. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wild winds never last all morningand fierce rains never last all day. By Lao-Tzu

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

When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal. By Lao-Tzu

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. By Lao-Tzu

If you do not value rare treasures, you will stop others from stealing. By Lao-Tzu

When beauty is defined, illusions of non-beauty manifestWhen goodness is identified, badness becomes an option By Lao-Tzu

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

The best fighter is never angry. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Rather than act like the lord of the manor,I would rather behave like a guest.Rather than advance an inch,I would rather retreat a foot. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

stillness, the ruler of movement. By Lao-Tzu

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

The hard and mighty lie beneath the groundWhile the tender and weak dance on the breeze above. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

Misery! - happiness is to be found by its side! By Lao-Tzu

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

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

We meet it and do not see its Front; we follow it, and do not see its Back. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

Very few are aware of the highest. Then comes that which they know and love, By Lao-Tzu

Simplicity has no name is free of desires. Being free of desires it is tranquil. And the world will be at peace of it's own accord. By Lao-Tzu

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

Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

It brings them to maturity and exercises no control over them; - By Lao-Tzu

The perception of what is small is (the secret of clear- sightedness; the guarding of what is soft and tender is (the secret of) strength. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With virtue and quietness one may conquer the world. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who takes hold of a thing (in the same way) loses his hold. By Lao-Tzu

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

Composure is the ruler of instability. By Lao-Tzu

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

He who talks more is sooner exhausted. By Lao-Tzu

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

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. By Lao-Tzu

Peace in Every step By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a bellows? By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Boasting of wealth and virtue brings your demise. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

The master dwells in the substantial and not in the superficial. Rests in the fruit and not in the flower. By Lao-Tzu

The sage shuns excess, shuns grandiosity, shuns arrogance. By Lao-Tzu

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

For regulating the human (in our constitution) and rendering the (proper) service to the heavenly, there is nothing like moderation. By Lao-Tzu

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

Manage affairs before they are in a mess. By Lao-Tzu

So, in their beautiful array, By Lao-Tzu

A skilful (commander) strikes a decisive blow, and stops. By Lao-Tzu

To Know others is perceptive,to know yourself is wise.To conquer others is forceful,to conquer yourself is strong. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

What makes me liable to great calamity is my having the body (which I call myself); if I had not the body, what great calamity could come to me? By Lao-Tzu

What calamity is greater than no contentment,and what flaw greater than the passion for gain. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted. By Lao-Tzu

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

Used gently, and without the touch of pain. By Lao-Tzu

Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing (of humility), and manifests it to all the world. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Of what, when seen, shall then be told. By Lao-Tzu

In pursuit of knowledge, every day something is acquired. In pursuit of wisdom, every day something is dropped. By Lao-Tzu

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. By Lao-Tzu

There isa time to liveand a time to diebut never to reject the moment. By Lao-Tzu

Misery and fortune share a trust.Happiness hides in misery. By Lao-Tzu

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

Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage waggons. By Lao-Tzu

Will work but ill, and disappointment bring. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

The sage has in the world an appearance of indecision, and keeps his mind in a state of indifference to all. By Lao-Tzu

When I let go of what I am, I become what 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

The difficult problems in life always start off being simple. Great affairs always start off being small. By Lao-Tzu

If you become whole, everything will come to you. By Lao-Tzu

Every step is on the path. By Lao-Tzu

Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding By Lao-Tzu

This is a subtle insight: the flexible overcomes the strong and unyielding. By Lao-Tzu

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. By Lao-Tzu

If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession. By Lao-Tzu

This is how they are able to continue and endure. By Lao-Tzu

Something can be beautiful, if something else is ugly.Someone can be good, if someone else is bad. By Lao-Tzu

With few there is attainment. With much there is confusion. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place. By Lao-Tzu

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

Of every ten three are ministers of life (to themselves); and three are ministers of death. By Lao-Tzu

Now it is so; 'twas so of old. By Lao-Tzu

Is it not because he has no personal and private ends, that therefore such ends are realised? By Lao-Tzu

The world's most difficult affairsbegin in easiness.The world's greatest affairsalways begin in the small. By Lao-Tzu

He who has little can only gain, but gain too much and the way will be lost. By Lao-Tzu

Gravity is the root of lightness; By Lao-Tzu

Its upper part is not bright, and its lower part is not obscure. By Lao-Tzu

In the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there were (their rulers). By Lao-Tzu

To lead people walk behind them. By Lao-Tzu

The master observes the world but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. He prefers what is within to what is without. By Lao-Tzu

Keep life and lose those other things; By Lao-Tzu

Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here. By Lao-Tzu

He who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; By Lao-Tzu

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

A good traveler leaves no track. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

There is nothing like moderation. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

The work is done, but how no one can see;'Tis this that makes the power not cease to be. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep their minds from disorder. By Lao-Tzu

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

The ancients were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive. The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable. Because it is unfathomable, By Lao-Tzu

What all men fear is indeed to be feared; By Lao-Tzu

(So), he who displays himself does not shine; By Lao-Tzu

When he has cleansed away the most mysterious sights (of his imagination), he can become without a flaw. By Lao-Tzu

The path into the light seems dark, the path forward seems to go back, the direct path seems long. By Lao-Tzu

When there is silence one finds the anchor of the universe within oneself By Lao-Tzu

206. "Let nature take its course. By letting each thing act in accordance with its own nature, everything that needs to be done gets done." ~ By Lao-Tzu

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

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. By Lao-Tzu

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

A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

When a person puts on a show, trying to appear great, their mediocrity is soon exposed. By Lao-Tzu

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

Great acts are made up of small deeds. By Lao-Tzu

He who is contented is rich. By Lao-Tzu

The more implements to add to their profit that the people have, the greater disorder is there in the state and clan; By Lao-Tzu

To live without forcing to overcome without conquering By Lao-Tzu

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

The world belongs to those who let go. By Lao-Tzu

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

Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared; honour and great calamity, to be regarded as personal conditions (of the same kind). By Lao-Tzu

He who, being a man, remains a woman, becomes a universal channel. Eternal virtue will flow through him. He will become a child again. By Lao-Tzu

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

When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself. By Lao-Tzu

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

By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning. By Lao-Tzu

Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides. By Lao-Tzu

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

Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? By Lao-Tzu

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

The highest excellence is like (that of) water. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

One who speaks does not know One who knows does not speak By Lao-Tzu

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. By Lao-Tzu

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

To see things in the seed, that is genius. By Lao-Tzu

The ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

The Master is her own physician.She has healed herself of all knowing.Thus she is truly whole. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

There is no illusion greater than fear. By Lao-Tzu

Do not shine like jade, instead be humble like a rock. By Lao-Tzu

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

Silence is a source of Great Strength. By Lao-Tzu

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

Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency. By Lao-Tzu

That difficulty and ease produce the one (the idea of) the other; By Lao-Tzu

The pot's use comes from emptiness. By Lao-Tzu

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

For the sageHeaven and Earth joinin bestowing the greatest gifts By Lao-Tzu

Two names emerge from a single origin and both are called mysterious. By Lao-Tzu

Emptiness appears barrenyet is infinite fullness By Lao-Tzu

Who acts in stillness finds stillness in his life. By Lao-Tzu

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

To know non-knowing is optimalto imagine one knowsis affliction of mind By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

Peace is our original state By Lao-Tzu

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still. By Lao-Tzu

Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there. By Lao-Tzu

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

What is firmly rooted cannot be pulled out. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want. By Lao-Tzu

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

If you give evil nothing to oppose, then virtue will return by itself. By Lao-Tzu

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

not to prize articles which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves; By Lao-Tzu

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

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

The skilful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps By Lao-Tzu

The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. By Lao-Tzu

The people starve because those in authority over them devour too many taxes; that is why they starve. By Lao-Tzu

The Wise Man is square but not sharp, honest but not not malign, straight but not severe, bright but not dazzling. By Lao-Tzu

Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself. By Lao-Tzu

Contentment alone is enough Indeed, the bliss of eternity can be found in your contentment By Lao-Tzu

Anything great is long in making. By Lao-Tzu

Because she competes with no one, no one can compete with her. By Lao-Tzu

Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

To lead the people, walk behind them. By Lao-Tzu

The sage puts herself last and is first. By Lao-Tzu

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

A bad man is a good man's job By Lao-Tzu

155. The secret waits for eyes unclouded by longing. By Lao-Tzu

There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war. By Lao-Tzu

Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear. By Lao-Tzu

From self-boasting, and therefore his merit is acknowledged; By Lao-Tzu

He is free from self- display, and therefore he shines; By Lao-Tzu

Is it not through her selflessness that she is able to perfect herself? By Lao-Tzu

Things' essences all there endure. By Lao-Tzu

Giving birth without possessing, animating without subjecting,fostering without dominating. By Lao-Tzu

The best runner leaves no tracks By Lao-Tzu

When turmoil rules, go in. By Lao-Tzu

Only when the state is in disorder is there a need for patriotism. By Lao-Tzu

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

He does not dare (by continuing his operations) to assert and complete his mastery. By Lao-Tzu

There is no disaster greater than not being content; There is no misfortune greater than being covetous. By Lao-Tzu

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

If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees. By Lao-Tzu

A man should love others as himself and also their parents as his own. By Lao-Tzu

Gentle flexibilityis the way of the humble master By Lao-Tzu

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

He who speaks does not know; he who knows does not speak By Lao-Tzu

He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know. By Lao-Tzu

Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Hence the sage puts away excessive effort, extravagance, and easy indulgence. By Lao-Tzu

When you accept yourself, the whole world accepts you. By Lao-Tzu

Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to. By Lao-Tzu

There is no greater misfortune than not knowing what is enough. There is no greater fault than the desire to possess. By Lao-Tzu

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

When its work is accomplished, it does not claim the name of having done it. By Lao-Tzu

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

From caring comes courage. By Lao-Tzu

Highly evolved people have their own conscience as pure law. By Lao-Tzu

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

When the world knows beauty as beauty, ugliness arises. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

We try to grasp it, and do not get hold of it, and we name it 'the Subtle. By Lao-Tzu

With a wall all aroundA clay bowl is moulded;But the use of the bowlWill depend on the partOf the bowl that is void. By Lao-Tzu

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

He who overcomes others is strong; By Lao-Tzu

If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. By Lao-Tzu

Thirty spokesShare one hub.Make the nothing therein appropriate, and you will have the use of the cart. By Lao-Tzu

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

To understand the limitation of things, desire them. By Lao-Tzu

The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long. By Lao-Tzu

To be worn out is to be renewed. By Lao-Tzu

Every journey begins with a single step. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

He who is (ever ready to) speak about it does not know it. By Lao-Tzu

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

If its deep mystery we would sound; By Lao-Tzu

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

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment. By Lao-Tzu

What others fear becomes our wilderness of fear. O, it is endless! By Lao-Tzu

How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men? By Lao-Tzu

All things under heaven sprang from It as existing (and named); that existence sprang from By Lao-Tzu

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

The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be. By Lao-Tzu

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

If any one should wish to get the kingdom for himself, and to effect this by what he does, I see that he will not succeed. By Lao-Tzu

Govern large countrieslike you cook little fish. By Lao-Tzu

Always without desire we must be found, By Lao-Tzu

Therefore the sage, while he never does what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest things. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

That which is meddling, touching everything, By Lao-Tzu

It might appear to have been before God. By Lao-Tzu

He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing. By Lao-Tzu

The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth. By Lao-Tzu

It is through their not being full of themselves that they can afford to seem worn and not appear new and complete. By Lao-Tzu

Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force. By Lao-Tzu

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

Accomplish but do not boast, accomplish without show, accomplish without arrogance, accomplish without grabbing, accomplish without forcing. By Lao-Tzu

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

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small. By Lao-Tzu

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

A good traveler leaves no tracks. By Lao-Tzu

(Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. By Lao-Tzu

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

And whether a man dispassionatelySees to the core of lifeOr passionatelySees the surfaceThey are essentially the same By Lao-Tzu

Great, it passes on (in constant flow). By Lao-Tzu

Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise. By Lao-Tzu

The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own. By Lao-Tzu

(To illustrate from) the case of all females: - the female always overcomes the male by her stillness. By Lao-Tzu

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

What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly. By Lao-Tzu

Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in its (previous) meanness, and what is lofty finds its stability in the lowness (from which it rises). By Lao-Tzu

Seeing our own smallness is called insight, honoring our own tenderness is called strenght. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

he who knows himself is intelligent. By Lao-Tzu

One gains by losing and loses by gaining. By Lao-Tzu

To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty. By Lao-Tzu

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

And that of (the initiation of) any movement is in its timeliness. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

It produces them and makes no claim to the possession of them; By Lao-Tzu

Stop trying to leave, and you shall arrive; stop seeking, and you shall see; stop running away, and you shall be found. By Lao-Tzu

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

The skilful speaker says nothing that can be found fault with or blamed; By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Know glory but cleave to humiliation. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Pursue that which is not meddlesome. By Lao-Tzu

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy. By Lao-Tzu

The wise person acts but does not take credit. Leads, but does not rule. By Lao-Tzu

Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him. By Lao-Tzu

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

An integral being knows without going, sees without looking, and accomplishes without doing. By Lao-Tzu

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

Seek not happiness too greedily, and be not fearful of happiness. By Lao-Tzu

Thus it is that the Great man abides by what is solid, and eschews what is flimsy; dwells with the fruit and not with the flower. By Lao-Tzu

Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful. By Lao-Tzu

Nature is not human hearted. By Lao-Tzu

Heaven which by it is bright and pure; By Lao-Tzu

Knowing constancy is enlightenment. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

The more people have weapons, the more the state is in confusion. By Lao-Tzu

Action should be taken before a thing has made its appearance; order should be secured before disorder has begun. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Ruling a large kingdom is like cooking a small fish ... By Lao-Tzu

To know that unchanging rule is to be intelligent; not to know it leads to wild movements and evil issues. By Lao-Tzu

As you live, so you die By Lao-Tzu

He who possesses virtue in abundance may be compared to an infant. By Lao-Tzu

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

Gave their (right) names to things without seeing them; By Lao-Tzu

That (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other; By Lao-Tzu

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

However grand and high, would all decay. By Lao-Tzu

The simple child again, free from all stains. By Lao-Tzu

Great talents mature slowly. By Lao-Tzu

He who would so win it destroys it; he who would hold it in his grasp loses it. By Lao-Tzu

Purity and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven. By Lao-Tzu

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

Profound it is, dark and obscure; By Lao-Tzu

If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind. By Lao-Tzu

If you want to lead them you must place yourself behind them. By Lao-Tzu

Possessing rare treasures brings about harmful behavior. By Lao-Tzu

In the next age they loved them and praised them. By Lao-Tzu

The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong. By Lao-Tzu

Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge. By Lao-Tzu

Nature does not play favourites, it regards its creations without sentimentality. Therefore the wise person also acts in this way. By Lao-Tzu

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

To hold, you must first open your hand. Let go By Lao-Tzu

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. By Lao-Tzu

(Its) admirable words can purchase honour; (its) admirable deeds can raise their performer above others. By Lao-Tzu

The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes. By Lao-Tzu

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

I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct. By Lao-Tzu

Their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the people all said, 'We are as we are, of ourselves! By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

Earth rendered thereby firm and sure; By Lao-Tzu

The first is gentleness; the second is economy; and the third is shrinking from taking precedence of others. By Lao-Tzu

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

Truly good people are not aware of their goodness, And are therefore good. By Lao-Tzu

When things flourish they decline. By Lao-Tzu

Free from desire, you realize the mysterycaught in the desire, you see only the manifestations. By Lao-Tzu

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

Become totally emptyQuiet the restlessness of the mindOnly then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness By Lao-Tzu

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish. By Lao-Tzu

He who asserts his own views is not distinguished; By Lao-Tzu

To avoid disappointment, know what is sufficient. To avoid trouble, know when to stop. If you are able to do this, you will last a long time. By Lao-Tzu

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

Constant action overcomes cold; being still overcomes heat. By Lao-Tzu

Material and infinite are inseparableAppreciating their interconnectednessis the gateway to understanding By Lao-Tzu

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

He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; By Lao-Tzu

Therefore the sages got their knowledge without travelling; By Lao-Tzu

Nature never hurries, yet everything is accomplished By Lao-Tzu

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

Rejects what is more great; By Lao-Tzu

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence. By Lao-Tzu

The wise person leads by remaining in the background. By Lao-Tzu

Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Be stillStillness reveals the secrets of eternity By Lao-Tzu

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

There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; By Lao-Tzu

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

It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him. By Lao-Tzu

Must you value what others value,avoid what others avoid?How ridiculous! By Lao-Tzu

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

Racing and hunting madden our minds. By Lao-Tzu

Simplicity without a nameIs free from all external aim.With no desire, at rest and still,All things go right as of their will. By Lao-Tzu

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

The partial becomes complete; the crooked, straight; the empty, full; the worn out, new. By Lao-Tzu

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

It produces them and does not claim them as its own; By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. By Lao-Tzu

He who overcomes himself is mighty. By Lao-Tzu

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

Those essences the truth enfold By Lao-Tzu

Heaven's net is wide, but its mesh is fine By Lao-Tzu

But if desire always within us be, By Lao-Tzu

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

The words of truth are always paradoxical. By Lao-Tzu

The ten thousand things rise and fall while the self watches their return. By Lao-Tzu

For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions. By Lao-Tzu

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

When goodness is lost there is morality. By Lao-Tzu

This is called 'the Mysterious Agreement. By Lao-Tzu

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

The way is easy stay on the path. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear? By Lao-Tzu

Things form and never know decay. By Lao-Tzu

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

He who knows he has enough, is rich By Lao-Tzu

Therefore, what has a (positive) existence serves for profitable adaptation, and what has not that for (actual) usefulness. By Lao-Tzu

He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much. By Lao-Tzu

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

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

Because of a great love, one is courageous. By Lao-Tzu

He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip. By Lao-Tzu

Knowing how to yield is strength By Lao-Tzu

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

Mastering others is strength. Mastering oneself makes you fearless. By Lao-Tzu

Care about people's view and you will be their prisoner By Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect. By Lao-Tzu

Its outer fringe is all that we shall see. By Lao-Tzu

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

Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them. Therefore it is the king of a hundred streams. By Lao-Tzu

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

Those who know do not talk.Those who talk do not know. By Lao-Tzu

The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge. By Lao-Tzu

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

To become learned, each day add something. To become enlightened, each day drop something. By Lao-Tzu

Silence is a source of great strenght. By Lao-Tzu

Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him. By Lao-Tzu

When the people have many weapons, the nation grows more benighted. By Lao-Tzu