Lao Tzu Quotes

Lao Tzu

Biography

Type: Philosopher and poet of ancient China, Founder of Taoism

Born: 6th–5th Century BC, Zhou Dynasty

Died: 5th-4th Century BC, Zhou Dynasty

Lao Tzu (also Laozi or Lao-Tze) was a philosopher and poet of ancient China. He is known as the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching and the founder of philosophical Taoism, and as a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions.

Lao Tzu Quotes

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

If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you
If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it.

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

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 inside
that holds whatever we want.

We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the inner space
that makes it livable.

We work with being,
but non-being is what we use.

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.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow.
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.

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be
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.

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

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

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

A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live..
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.

The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it
The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms.

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

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

There is a time to live and a time to die but never to reject the
There is
a time to live
and a time to die
but never to reject the moment.

When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things
When people see some things as beautiful,
other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good,
other things become bad.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.. Lao Tzu
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.

Klar sieht, wer von ferne sieht, nebelhaft, wer Anteil nimmt.. Lao Tzu
Klar sieht, wer von ferne sieht, nebelhaft, wer Anteil nimmt.

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

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

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

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

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil.

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.

Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the
Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of
softness overcoming hardness.

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

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

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

If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees..
If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.

The heart that gives, gathers.. Lao Tzu
The heart that gives, gathers.

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

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.

To know that you do not know is the best. To think you know when you
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.

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

Ist eine Lehre zur Satzung erstarrt, hat sie geendet.. Lao Tzu
Ist eine Lehre zur Satzung erstarrt, hat sie geendet.

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

The past has no power to stop you from being present now. Only your grievance about
The past has no power to stop you
from being present now.
Only your grievance about
the past can do that.
What is grievance?
The baggage of old
thought and emotion.

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

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

Thirty spokes Share one hub. Make the nothing therein appropriate, and you will have the use
Thirty spokes
Share one hub.
Make the nothing therein appropriate, and you will have the use of the cart.

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

Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look at
Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look at the stars. This practice should answer the question.

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

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.

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

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

A leader is best When people barely know he exists Of a good leader, who talks
A leader is best
When people barely know he exists
Of a good leader, who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say, “We did this ourselves.

If you want to govern the people, You must place yourself below them. If you want
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.

So the unwanting soul sees what's hidden, and the ever-wanting soul sees only what it wants..
So the unwanting soul
sees what's hidden,
and the ever-wanting soul
sees only what it wants.

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