Lao Tzu Quotes

When superior people hear guidance, they carry it out diligently and ably. When mediocre people hear guidance, it seems vague and uncertain. When lesser people hear guidance, they laugh. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

Lao-tzu didn't actually say very much more about the meaning of Tao. The Way of Nature, the Way of happening self-so, or, if you like, the very process of life, was something which he was much too wise to define. For to try to say anything definite about the Tao is like trying to eat your mouth: you can't get outside it to chew it. To put it the other way round: anything you can chew is not your mouth. ~ Alan W. Watts

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

The great Tao (or way) is very level and easy; but people love the by-ways. ~ Lao Tzu

I have to create a circle of reading for myself: Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Lao-Tzu, Buddha, Pascal, The New Testament. This is also necessary for all people. ~ Leo Tolstoy

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

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

All things return (to their root and disappear), and do not know that it is it which presides over their doing so; - it may be named in the greatest things. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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

When things flourish they decline. ~ Lao-Tzu

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

What is the Tao Te Ching? Five hundred years before the birth of Jesus, a God-realized being named Lao-tzu in ancient China dictated 81 verses which are regarded by many as the ultimate commentary on the nature of existence. ~ Wayne Dyer

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment. ~ Lao-Tzu

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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

Therefore a sage has said, 'I will do nothing (of purpose), and the people will be transformed of themselves; ~ Lao Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Earth is a divine organism
it cannot be successfully manipulated
Who attempts manipulation will encounter defeat ~ Lao-Tzu

(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). ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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

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

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

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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

If you want a peaceful place to dwell Cold Mountain is guaranteed forever A light wind blows softly in the pines The sound is good when you are close One old man sits beneath the trees Reading Lao Tzu and Huang Ti, mumbling I could not find the world if I searched ten years I've forgotten the road by which I came ~ Hanshan

We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness, and bring ourselves into agreement with the obscurity of others. ~ Lao-Tzu

The disciples were absorbed in a discussion of Lao-Tzu's dictum: "Those who know, do not say; Those who say, do not know." When the master entered, they asked him what the words meant. Said the master, "Which of you knows the fragrance of a rose?" All of them indicated that they knew. Then he said, "Put it into words." All of them were silent. ~ Anthony De Mello

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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. ~ 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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

he who knows himself is intelligent. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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

Things' essences all there endure. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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

With a wall all around
A clay bowl is moulded;
But the use of the bowl
Will depend on the part
Of the bowl that is void. ~ Lao-Tzu

The primary quality that Lao Tzu seems to emobdy is humility, which is the image of water - seeking the common level of existence. ~ Frederick Lenz

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

Figure out the rhythm of life and live in harmony with it. ~ Lao Tzu

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

Above, in discussing the perceptive notions of Jesus, remarkable concepts of Plato or the highly introspective lessons of Gautama and Lao Tzu, it took considerable discussion to explore the meaning and relate it to How Life Works. Islam presents no such deep pool of thought to pierce. ~ Thomas Daniel Nehrer

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

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. ~ 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. ~ Lao-Tzu

He who defines himself can't know who he really is.
He who has power over others can't empower himself. ~ Lao Tzu

I was inspired to spend an entire year - my 65th year - reading, researching, and meditating on Lao-tzu's messages, practicing them and ultimately writing down these insights as I felt Lao-tzu wanted us to know them. ~ Wayne Dyer

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

Of fame or life, Which do you hold more dear?
Or life or wealth, To which would you adhere?
Keep life and lose those other things; Keep them and lose your life:-- which brings Sorrow and pain more near? ~ Lao Tzu

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

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

From this community of feeling comes a kingliness of character; and he who is king-like goes on to be heaven-like. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

If you show yourself, you will not be seen. If you affirm yourself, you will not shine. If you boast, you will have no merit. If you promote yourself, you will have no success. ~ Lao-Tzu

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 ~ Lao-Tzu

Тhe gentle overcomes the rigid.
The slow overcomes the fast.
The weak overcomes the strong."
…
"Everyone knows that the yielding overcomes the stiff,
and the soft overcomes the hard.
Yet no one applies this knowledge. ~ Lao Tzu

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart. ~ Lao-Tzu

They found security in letting go rather than in holding on and, in so doing, developed an attitude toward life that might be called psychophysical judo. Nearly twenty-five centuries ago, the Chinese sages Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu had called it wu-wei, which is perhaps best translated as "action without forcing." It is sailing in the stream of the Tao, or course of nature, and navigating the currents of li (organic pattern) - a word that originally signified the natural markings in jade or the grain in wood. As this attitude spread and prevailed in the wake of Vibration Training, people became more and more indulgent about eccentricity in life-style, tolerant of racial and religious differences, and adventurous in exploring unusual ways of loving. ~ Alan W. Watts

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

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. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

For a house,
the good thing is level ground.
In thinking,
depth is good.
The good of giving is magnanimity;
of speaking, honesty;
of government, order.
The good of work is skill,
and of action, timing.

No competition,
so no blame. ~ Lao Tzu

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

When the world's on the Way,
they use horses to haul manure.
When the world gets off the Way,
they breed warhorses on the common.

The greatest evil: wanting more.
The worst luck: discontent.
Greed's the curse of life.

To know enough's enough
is enough to know. ~ Lao Tzu

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

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

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

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

(Those who) possessed the highest (sense of) propriety were (always seeking) to show it, and when men did not respond to it, they bared the arm and marched up to them. ~ Lao-Tzu

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

When I did a therapist education in USA 1984, one of the course leaders – who had given personal and spiritual guidance to thousands of seekers of truth from all over the world, and who I consider to be one of the best spiritual therapists in the world – said that I was going to get enlightened, that I would "disappear into the silence".
I did not really understand what he meant then, and it was totally absurd for me when other course participants congratulated me afterwards. The thought that I was going to be enlightened was totally absurd for me. For me enlightenment was something that happened to special and chosen persons like Osho, Buddha, Jesus, Lao-Tzu and Krishnamurti. I did not feel either special or chosen. I did not feel worthy of being enlightened. ~ Swami Dhyan Giten

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

Those who speak know nothing. Those who know are silent. ~ Cristina Garcia

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

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

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