quotestemple logo QuotesTemple

Lao Tzu Quotes

Ancient Chinese philosopher, considered the founder of Taoism, and author of the Tao Te Ching

Philosopher | Chinese

Born: c. 6th century BCE in Henan Province, China

Died: unknown in unknown

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

Lao Tzu

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Lao Tzu

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

Lao Tzu

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

To know yet to think that one does not know is best Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.

Lao Tzu

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

From caring comes courage.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.

Lao Tzu

The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

Lao Tzu

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

Lao Tzu

Silence is a source of great strength.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

Lao Tzu

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Lao Tzu

The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

Lao Tzu

Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.

Lao Tzu

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.

Lao Tzu

Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.

Lao Tzu

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.

Lao Tzu

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.

Lao Tzu

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

Lao Tzu

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.

Lao Tzu

Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Lao Tzu

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu
men

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.

Lao Tzu

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Lao Tzu

Nature is not human hearted.

Lao Tzu

It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

Lao Tzu

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

Silence is a source of great strength.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.

Lao Tzu

The words of truth are always paradoxical.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

Silence is a source of great strength.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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.

Lao Tzu

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

Lao Tzu

Readers Also Loved Quotes From