Lao Tzu Quotes (290 Quotes)

(The Tao) is always present and always available.... If you are willing to be lived by it, you will see it everywhere, even in the most ordinary things.

To die but not to perish is to be eternally present.

Loving, hating, having expectations all these are attachments. Attachment prevents the growth of one's true being.

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.

We put thirty spokes to make a wheel But it is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges. We make a vessel from a lump of clay But it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful. We make doors and windows for a room But it is the empty spaces that make the room livable. Thus, while existence has advantages, It is the emptiness that makes it useful.

When the best leader's work is done the people say, "We did it ourselves."

The cords of passion and desire weave a binding net around you. Worldly confrontation makes you stiff and inflexible. The trap of duality is tenacious. Bound, rigid, and trapped, you cannot experience liberation.

Look, it cannot be seen it is beyond form. Listen, it cannot be heard it is beyond sound. Grasp, it cannot be held it is intangible. These three are indefinable Therefore they are joined in one. From above it is not bright From below it is not dark An unbroken thread beyond description. It returns to nothingness. The form of the formless, The image of the imageless, It is called indefinable and beyond imagination. Stand before it and there is no beginning. Follow it and there is no end. Stay with the ancient Tao, Move with the present. Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao.

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.

Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

The ego is entranced by ... names and ideas... (However) names and concepts only block your perception of this Great Oneness. Therefore it is wise to ignore them. Those who live inside their egos are continually bewildered.

To see things in the seed is genius.

The fourth (of the four cardinal virtues) is supportiveness this manifests as service to others without expectation of reward. (Paraphrased Such service is not a mere conforming to some external rule of behavior, but instead a manifestation of your original nature).

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

Because clarity and enlightenment are within your own nature, they are regained without moving an inch.

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

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

It is the Vague and Elusive. Meet it and you will not see its head. Follow it and you will not see its back.

The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them.

Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more sacred than simply breathing.... If you wish to attain oneness with the Tao, don't get caught up in spiritual superficialities.

Mask your brightness. Be at one with the dust of the earth. This is primal union.

From of old the things that have acquired unity are these Heaven by unity has become clear Earth by unity has become steady The Spirit by unity has become spiritual The Valley by unity has become full All things by unity have come into existence.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.

Simply see that you are at the center of the universe, and accept all things and beings as parts of your infinite body. When you perceive that an act done to another is done to yourself, you have understood the great truth.

He who is contented is rich.

A tree trunk the size of a man grows from a blade as thin as a hair. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth.

To know that you do not know is the best. To pretend to know when you do not know is disease.

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.

A journey of a thousand miles starts in front of your feet. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth. A journey of a thousand miles starts in front of your feet.

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

The named was born from the unnamed ... all being flows from non-being ... the describable world emanates from an indescribable source.

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

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

Through return to simple living Comes control of desires. In control of desires Stillness is attained. In stillness the world is restored.

This path is clearly defined and quite simple to follow, yet most lose themselves in ideological fogs of their own making.

Humble station is the basis of honor. The low is the foundation of the high.

How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?

I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness the second is frugality the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold be frugal and you can be liberal avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.

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

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name this appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.

A good manager is best when people barely know that he exists. Not so good when people obey and acclaim him. Worse when they despise him.

The mystical techniques for achieving immortality are revealed only to those who have dissolved all ties to the gross worldly realm of duality, conflict, and dogma. As long as your shallow worldly ambitions exist, the door will not open.

Because every portion of the body, mind, and spirit yearns for the integration of yin and yang, angelic intercourse is led by the spirit rather than the sexual organs.... Where ordinary intercourse unites sex organs with sex organs, angelic cultivation unites spirit with spirit, mind with mind, and every cell of one body with every cell of the other body.

The career of a sage is of two kinds: He is either honored by all in the world, Like a flower waving its head, Or else he disappears into the silent forest.

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

Understanding others is knowledge, Understanding oneself is enlightenment Conquering others is power, Conquering oneself is strength.

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.

He who knows he has enough is rich.

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