Taoism Quotes

The Way is ever without action, yet nothing is left undone. ~ Laozi

If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind. ~ Laozi

If you do not join the polluted, then you are pure; if you reject society in search of purity, that is not purity but fanaticism. ~ Zicheng Hong

Taoism ~ There is no 'other'. All is One. ~ Leland Lewis

When people are determined they can overcome anything. ~ Ian Moore

Beneath the light, the river and hills are beautiful, The spring breeze bears the fragrance of flowers and grass. The mud has thawed, and swallows fly around. On the warm sand, mandarin ducks are sleeping. ~ Du Fu

The highest tone is hard to hear. ~ Laozi

What Heaven detests, who knows why? Even the sage considers it difficult. ~ Laozi

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

Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun. ~ Alan W. Watts

But a gentleman may embrace a doctrine without necessarily wearing the garb that goes with it, and he may wear the garb without necessarily comprehending the doctrine. ~ Zhuangzi

The Way of Tao is this: It strives not, but conquers; It speaks not, but all is made clear; It summons not, but its house is crowded; It contrives not, but the design is perfect. ~ Laozi

Buddhism teaches us not to want things, not to avoid things, not to be upset by the loss. In the I Ching, there's a hexagram that says, "Be like the sun at midday". View all things as being equal. ~ Frederick Lenz

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 one who is filled by virtue is like a newborn baby. ~ Laozi

Those who seek knowledge, collect something every day. Those who seek the Way, let go of something every day. ~ Laozi

My words have an origin. My deeds have a sovereign. Truly, because people do not understand this, they do not understand me. ~ Laozi

Trust in human nature is acceptance of the good-and-bad of it, and it is hard to trust those who do not admit their own weakness. ~ Alan W. Watts

The small is easy to scatter. ~ Laozi

Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature. ~ Laozi

... the doctrinal differences between Hinduism and Buddhism and Taoism are not anywhere near as important as doctrinal differences among Christianity and Islam and Judaism. Holy wars are not fought over them because verbalized statements about reality are never presumed to be reality itself. ~ Robert M. Pirsig

All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry. ~ Laozi

Other people have more than they need, I alone seem wanting. ~ Laozi

Virtue is the master of talent, talent is the servant of virtue. Talent without virtue is like a house where there is no master and their servant manages its affairs. How can there be no mischief? ~ Zicheng Hong

If you know that whatever is made inevitable breaks down, you needn't seek too hard for achievement. If you know that all living beings inevitably die, you needn't work too hard on health lore. ~ Zicheng Hong

My own words are not the medicine, but a prescription; not the destination, but a map to help you reach it. When you get there, quiet your mind and close your mouth. Don't analyze the Tao. Strive instead to live it: silently, undividedly, with your whole harmonious being. ~ Laozi

Those who are broad-minded and considerate are like the spring breeze, warm and nurturing, at show touch all being grow. Those who are envious an d cruel are like the snow of the northlands, stilling and freezing, at whose touch all beings die. ~ Zicheng Hong

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

The great Way is very straight, but people prefer to deviate. ~ Laozi

The sage's Way is to act and not to contend. ~ Laozi

The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it. ~ Laozi

The natural world gives us many examples of the great effectiveness of this way. The Chinese philosophy of which judo itself is an expression - Taoism - drew attention to the power of water to overcome all obstacles by its gentleness and pliability. It showed how the supple willow survives the tough pine in a snowstorm, for whereas the unyielding branches of the pine accumulate snow until they crack, the springy boughs of the willow bend under its weight, drop the snow, and jump back again. If, when swimming, you are caught in a strong current, it is fatal to resist. You must swim with it and gradually edge to the side. One who falls from a height with stiff limbs will break them, but if he relaxes like a cat he will fall safely. A building without 'give' in its structure will easily collapse in storm or earthquake, and a car without the cushioning of tires and springs will soon come apart on the road. The mind has just the same powers, for it has give and can absorb shocks like water or a cushion. But this giving way to an opposing force is not at all the same thing as running away. A body of water does not run away when you push it; it simply gives at the point of the push and encloses your hand. A shock absorber does not fall down like a bowling-pin when struck; it gives, and yet stays in the same place. To run away is the only defense of something rigid against an overwhelming force. Therefore the good shock absorber has not only 'give,' but also stability or 'weight. ~ Alan W. Watts

Even a wild horse can be tamed; even metal that is difficult to work eventually goes into a mold. If you take it easy and do not stir yourself, you will never make any progress. It has been said, "It is no disgrace to have many afflictions: I would worry if there never were any afflictions." ~ Zicheng Hong

Those who are self-righteous are not prominent. ~ Laozi

Those who praise themselves do not prevail. ~ Laozi

When good thing are accomplished, it does not claim (or name) them. This is Te, which is close in meaning to power or virtue. It is something within a person, and it is enhanced by following the Tao, or 'that from which nothing can deviate'. ~ Laozi

Currently where you are is on a huge globe with a relatively thin crust of stone, containing fire in its bowels, rotating on its own slightly tilted axis at 1,000 miles per hour in an easterly direction while simultaneously traveling in orbit around an enormous ball of burning hydrogen, 93,000,000 miles away at 66,000 miles per hour. That's 66,000 miles per hour, or nineteen miles per second, which is much faster that you've maybe ever imagined, and means that you will be traveling nearly 60,000,000 miles this coming year.
Beauty is, you don't have to imagine it, you can feel it instead. And if you want to know what it's like, simply stop. Be still, and in that stillness, whatever you are feeling in your belly: that's it. this is what it feels like to go 66,000 miles per hour while spinning at one thousand. ~ Stephen Russell

Oh wondrous,' murmured Lin Chung. 'Oh, water, mistress of earth, valley spirit, eternal feminine!'
'Taoism again?' Phryne leaned close to hear what he was whispering.
'From the "Tao Te Ching." The old Master should have seen this. All made by water, the female, cold, moon principle.'
'Yin,' said Phryne. 'This is the womb of the earth.'
'Indeed.' He took her hand. 'Completely foreign to all male, hot, sun creatures.'
'Like you?'
'Like me. Yang can only admire and tremble.'
'Come along.' She led him into the centre of the huge space. 'We don't want to get lost in the earthmother's insides. ~ Kerry Greenwood

Knowing the future is the flower of the Way, and the beginning of folly. ~ Laozi

If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich. ~ Laozi

Doing nothing can sometimes be the most effective form of action. ~ Kevin Kwan

Taoism is the profoundest nonconformism that has ever been evolved anywhere in the world, at any time in history; essentially it is rebellion. ~ Osho

High and low rest on each other. ~ Laozi

It comes out from no source, it goes back in through no aperture. It has reality yet no place where it resides; it has duration yet no beginning or end. Something emerges, though through no aperture - this refers to the fact that it has reality. It has reality yet there is no place where it resides - this refers to the dimension of space. It has duration but no beginning or end - this refers to the dimension of time. There is life, there is death, there is a coming out, there is a going back in - yet in the coming out and going back its form is never seen. This is called the Heavenly Gate. The Heavenly Gate is nonbeing. The ten thousand things come forth from nonbeing. Being cannot create being out of being; inevitably it must come forth from nonbeing. Nonbeing is absolute nonbeing, and it is here that the sage hides himself. ~ Zhuangzi

What's the difference between yes and no? ~ Laozi

If princes and kings could follow it (Tao), all things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite and sweet dew would fall. People would by themselves find harmony, without being commanded. ~ Laozi

Who can wait in stillness while the mud settles? ~ Laozi

The virtuous carry out the settlement, but those without virtue pursue their claims. ~ Laozi

A net set up to catch fish may snare a duck; a mantis hunting an insect may itself be set upon by a sparrow. Machinations are hidden within machinations; changes arise beyond changes. So how can wit and cleverness be relied upon? ~ Zicheng Hong

Do you think you can make the world a better place? I do not think you can. It is already perfect. ~ Laozi

Things joined by profit, when pressed by misfortune and danger, will cast each other aside. ~ Zhuangzi

We really have no choice in the matter. We are given a description of the world that is much more potent and much deeper than you might realize. ~ Frederick Lenz

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

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

Bells Ring, Drums Resound

When a bell is struck it rings, when a drum is beaten it resounds. This is because they are solid outside and empty within. It is because they have nothing inside that they are able to ring and resound.

What I realize as I observe this is the Tao of true emptiness and ineffable existence.

True emptiness is like the inner openness of a bell or a drum; ineffable existence is like the sounding of a bell or a drum when struck. If people can keep this true emptiness as their essence, and utilize this ineffable existence as their function, ever serene yet ever responsive, ever responsive yet ever serene, tranquil and unstirring yet sensitive and effective, sensitive and effective yet tranquil and unstirring, empty yet not empty, not empty yet empty, aware and efficient, lively and active, refining everything in the great furnace of Creation, then when the dirt is gone the mirror is clear, when the clouds disperse the moon appears; revealing the indestructible body of reality, they transcend yin and yang and Creation, and merge with the eternity of space. ~ Liu Yiming

When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises. ~ Laozi

Take time to listen to what is said without words, to obey the law too subtle to be written, to worship the unnameable and to embrace the unformed. ~ Laozi

The most straight seems curved. ~ Laozi

The most difficult in the world must be easy in its beginning. ~ Laozi

In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them. ~ Laozi

The light of the Way seems dim. ~ Laozi

Regardless of what you want to call it, guys need some type of spirituality they can grab onto. If it's Christianity, which is a very structured approach, or if it's something that's a little more open-ended ... like, Zen's something you can make yourself a part of. You can interpret it for yourself, like Taoism and stuff like that. ~ Barry Zito

The essence of Taoism is really expressed by these few words. Taoism is the way of the child, the way of the fool, the way of someone who doesn't need to be noticed. ~ Frederick Lenz

If you are interested in Taoism, I would suggest that you read the Way of Life by Lao Tsu, the founder of Taoism. I personally prefer the Witter Brynner translation. ~ Frederick Lenz

The sage regards things as difficult, and thereby avoids difficulty. ~ Laozi

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

I became aware that there was no barrier between what was inside and what was outside. My body was illuminated by a bright light. I heard with my eyes and saw with my ears. I used my nose as mouth and my mouth as nose. I experienced the world with the totality of my senses as my spirit gathered and my form dissolved. There was no distinction between muscles and bones. My body stopped being heavy and I felt like a floating leaf. Without knowing it, I was being carried by the wind. Drifting here and there, I did not know whether I rode on the wind or the wind rode on me. ~ Liezi

The moon does not fight. It attacks no one. It does not worry. It does not try to crush others. It keeps to its course, but by its very nature, it gently influences. What other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore? The moon is faithful to its nature and its power is never diminished. ~ Ming-Dao Deng

Obscure, like muddy waters. ~ Laozi

Can you let go of words and ideas, attitudes and expectations? If so, then the Tao will loom into view. ~ Laozi

Those who boast are not respected. ~ Laozi

The mind of the child is not formed. We are shown that this is life, this is the world. ~ Frederick Lenz

What is well planted will not be uprooted. ~ Laozi

The yin-yang view of the world is serenely cyclic. Fortune and misfortune, life and death, whether on small scale or vast, come and go everlastingly without beginning or end, and the whole system is protected from monotony by the fact that, in just the same way, remembering alternates with forgetting. ~ Alan W. Watts

Who you are is always right. ~ Ming-Dao Deng

They are of the dream time. I don't understand it, I can't say it in words. Everything dreams. The play of form, of being, is the dreaming of substance. Rocks have their dreams, and the earth changes ... But when the mind becomes conscious, when the rate of evolution speeds up, then you have to be careful. Careful of the world. You must learn the way. You must learn the skills, the art, the limits. A conscious mind must be part of the whole, intentionally and carefully
as the rock is part of the whole unconsciously. Do you see? Does it mean anything to you? ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

The one who does not honor the teacher and the one who does not honor the task, although ever so knowledgeable, they are confused. ~ Laozi

One of our favorite examples of the value of Nothing is an incident in the life of the Japanese emperor Hirohito. Now, being emperor in one of the most frantically Confucianist countries in the world is not necessarily all that relaxing. From early morning until late at night, practically every minute of the emperor's time is filled in with meetings, audiences, tours, inspections, and who-knows-what. And through a day so tightly scheduled that it would make a stone wall seem open by comparison, the emperor must glide, like a great ship sailing in a steady breeze.

In the middle of a particularly busy day, the emperor was driven to a meeting hall for an appointment of some kind. But when he arrived, there was no one there. The emperor walked into the middle of the great hall, stood silently for a moment, then bowed to the empty space. He turned to his assistants, a large smile on his face. "We must schedule more appointments like this," he told them. "I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a long time. ~ Benjamin Hoff

The softest in the world surpasses the hardest in the world. ~ Laozi

What the Way is to the world, the stream is to the river and the sea. ~ Laozi

The high must make the low its base. ~ Laozi

Autumn clouds, vague and obscure; The evening, lonely and chill. I felt the dampness on my garments, But saw no spot, and heard no sound of rain. ~ Bai Juyi

Pursue without interfering. ~ Laozi

The sage acts by doing nothing. ~ Laozi

I do not act, and people become reformed by themselves. ~ Laozi

If Heaven were not clear it might rend. If Earth were not firm it might crumble. ~ Laozi

Water is the symbol of pure consciousness. ~ Frederick Lenz

When equal armies battle, the grieving one will be victorious. ~ Laozi

If people are not afraid of dying, why threaten them with death? ~ Laozi

Stillness is easy to maintain. ~ Laozi

[T]o be forever looking beyond is to remain blind to what is here. ~ Alan W. Watts

Wary, as if surrounded by strangers. ~ Laozi

Hold on to the ancient Way to master the present, and to learn the distant beginning. ~ Laozi

By ethical argument and moral principle the greatest crimes are eventually shown to have been necessary, and, in fact, a signal benefit to mankind. ~ Zhuangzi

The great image lacks shape. ~ Laozi

People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly. ~ Laozi

If you want to nourish a bird, you should let it live any way it chooses. Creatures differ because they have different likes and dislikes. Therefore the sages never require the same ability from all creatures ... concepts of right should be founded on what is suitable. The true saint leaves wisdom to the ants, takes a cue from the fishes, and leaves willfulness to the sheep. ~ Zhuangzi

Strong winds do not last all morning, hard rains do not last all day. ~ Laozi

Use the light to return to clarity. ~ Laozi