Lao Tzu Quotes (290 Quotes)

Achieve results, But never glory in them. Achieve results, But never boast. Achieve results, But never be proud. Achieve results, Because this is the natural way.

Favor and disgrace are like fear. Favor is in a higher place, and disgrace in a lower place. When you win them you are like being in fear, and when you lose them you are also like being in fear. So favor and disgrace are like fear.

The journey of a thousand leagues begins from beneath your feet.

Don't imagine that you'll discover the truth by accumulating more knowledge. Knowledge creates doubt, and doubt makes you ravenous for more knowledge. You can't get full eating this way.

There are many paths to enlightenment. Be sure to take one with a heart.

When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind them the creative, transformative, boundless, immutable Tao.

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 Tao Way that can be told of is not the eternal TaoThe name that can be named is not the eternal name.The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and EarthThe Named is the mother of all things.Therefore, let there always be non-being, so we may see their subtlety,And let there always be being, so we may see their outcome.The two are the same,But after they are produced, they have different names.They both may be called deep and profound.Deeper and more profound,The door of all subtleties

Be the chief but never the lord.

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

He who possess virtue in abundance may be compared to an infant

Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding.

The good man is the teacher of the bad, And the bad is the material from which the good may learn. He who does not value the teacher, Or greatly care for the material, Is greatly deluded although he may be learned. Such is the essential mystery.

Silence is a source of great strength.

The more laws are enacted and taxes assessed, the greater the number of lawbreakers and tax evaders

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.

Can you dissolve your ego Can you abandon the idea of self and other Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short and long, life and death Can you let go of all these dualities and embrace the Tao without skepticism or panic If so, you can reach the heart of the Integral Oneness.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.

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.

Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved.

There are two paths leading to oneness with the Tao. The first in the path of acceptance. Affirm everyone and everything. Freely extend you goodwill and virtue in every direction, regardless of circumstances. Embrace all things as part of the Harmonious Oneness, and then you will begin to perceive it. The second path is that of denial. Recognize that everything you see and think is a falsehood, an illusion, a veil over the truth. Peel all the veils away, and you will arrive at the Oneness. Though these paths are entirely different, they will deliver you to the same place spontaneous awareness of the Great Oneness.

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

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

A good calculator does not need artificial aids.

Know the white, But keep the black, Be an example to the world Being an example to the world, Ever true and unwavering, Return to the infinite.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

For one gains by losing And loses by gaining.

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.

Giving to others selflessly and anonymously, radiating light throughout the world and illuminating your own darkness, your virtue becomes a sanctuary for yourself and all beings. That is what is meant by embodying the Tao.

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.

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.

There are three layers to the universe. In the lower, Tai Ching, and the middle, Shan Ching, the hindrance of a physical bodily existence is required. Those who fail to live consistently in accord with the Tao reside here. In the upper, Yu Ching, there is only Tao the bondage of form is broken, and the only thing existing is the exquisite energy dance of the immortal divine beings.

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

Why is the sea king of a hundred streams Because it lies below them... If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility. If he would lead them, he must follow behind. In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed...

When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.

To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.

To see things in the seed, that is genius.

The sage does not hoard. Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more having given all he has to others, he is richer still.

By the accident of fortune a man may rule the world for a time, but by virtue of love he may rule the world forever.