Lao Tzu Quotes

 

I am continuously astounded by Lao Tzu’s sayings and how he is able to distill and simplify life’s secrets. We make life so complicated but it can be so simple.

For those who are not familiar with Lao Tzu, he was a philosopher who lived in 6th century B.C. in China. It is said that he was the keeper of the archives of the imperial court which allowed to become wise beyond many as a result. Lao Tzu is the founder of Taoism. Enjoy these amazing quotes.

 

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

 

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Lao Tzu

 

He who is contented is rich. Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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

 

 

Great acts are made up of small deeds. Lao Tzu

 

When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’ Lao Tzu

 

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. Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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. Lao Tzu

 

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. Lao Tzu

 

 

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

 

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. Lao Tzu

 

Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained. Lao Tzu

 

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment. Lao Tzu

From caring comes courage. Lao Tzu

 

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. Lao Tzu

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve. 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. Lao Tzu

From wonder into wonder existence opens. Lao Tzu

 

He who knows himself is enlightened. Lao Tzu

 

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

 

He who talks more is sooner exhausted. Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

It is better to do one’s own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins. Lao Tzu

 

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

 

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. Lao Tzu

 

Silence is a source of great strength. 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. Lao Tzu

 

 

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

 

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

 

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. Lao Tzu

 

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you. Lao Tzu

 

To lead people walk behind them. Lao Tzu

 

Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge. Lao Tzu

 

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. 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. Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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

 

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. Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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

 

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. Lao Tzu

 

 

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

 

I have three treasures. Guard and keep them: The first is deep love,The second is frugality, And the third is not to dare to be ahead of the world. -Lao Tzu

 

Because of deep love, one is courageous. Because of frugality, one is generous. Because of not daring to be ahead of the world, one becomes the leader of the world.

-Lao Tzu

 

Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires.

-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.

-Lao Tzu

 

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

 

 

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.-Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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

 

Remind yourself daily, there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.-Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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

 

A terrace nine stories high begins with a pile of earth. -Lao Tzu

 

Whoever can see through all fear, will always be safe. -Lao Tzu

 

Failure is an opportunity.-Lao Tzu

 

He, who rushes ahead, does not go far.-Lao Tzu

 

He, who tries to shine, dims his own light.-Lao Tzu

 

He, who defines himself, can’t know who he really is.-Lao Tzu

 

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

 

 

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.-Lao Tzu

 

Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success.-Lao Tzu

 

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.-Lao Tzu

 

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. -Lao Tzu

 

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.=Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them, that only creates sorrow.-Lao Tzu

 

If you blame someone else, there is no end to the blame. -Lao Tzu

 

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.-Lao Tzu

 

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

 

If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich-Lao Tzu

 

Only fools seek power, and the greatest fools seek it through force.-Lao Tzu

 

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.-Lao Tzu

 

 

If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself.-Lao Tzu

 

Love is a decision, not an emotion.-Lao Tzu

 

Before healing others, heal yourself.-Lao Tzu

 

There is no disaster greater than not being content.-Lao Tzu

 

There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent.-Lao Tzu

 

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

 

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