Laozi Quotes

Pain and happiness are simply conditions of the ego. Forget the ego.

The Way is ever nameless.

The sturdiest virtue seems fragile.

I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.

One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things but moves in harmony with the present moment.

What is and what is not create each other.

The farther you go, the less you know.

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

The best way to carve is not to split.

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. Through this I know the advantage of taking no action.

He who loves does not dispute: He who disputes does not love.

When the world is ruled according to the Way, the ghosts lose their power. The ghosts do not really lose their power, but it is not used to harm people.

True power is stillness within motion.

Act without striving. Work without interfering. Find the flavour in what is flavourless.

By steadily disciplining the animal nature, until it becomes one pointed, it is possible to establish conscious awareness of The Eternal.

When you are one with loss, the loss is experienced willingly.

If you never assume importance, you never lose it.

Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven.

Knowing others is to be clever. Knowing yourself is to be enlightened. Overcoming others requires force. Overcoming yourself requires strength.

Simplicity has no name is free of desires. Being free of desires it is tranquil. And the world will be at peace of it's own accord.

What is well planted will not be uprooted.

A multitude of words is tiresome, unlike remaining centered.

Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe.

Knowing that we don't know it's humility; thinking that we know what we don't know, is sickness.

Things exalted then decay. This is going against the Way. What goes against the Way meets an early end.

Complete your task. Seek no reward. Make no claims. Without faltering fully choose to do what you must do.

The Great Vessel takes long to complete.

The usefulness of the pot lies in its emptiness.

The Sage expects no recognition for what he does; he achieves merit but does not take it to himself; he does not wish to display his worth.

The one who is conscious (in Tao) can't speak. The one who can speak is not conscious (centered in Tao)

Meandering leads to perfection.

When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.

Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few.

He who is attached to things will suffer much.

Words spoken about the Way have no taste. When looked at, there's not enough to see. When listened to, there's not enough to hear. When used, it is never exhausted.

There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

The group will not prosper if the leader grabs the lion's share of the credit for the good work that has been done.

Attain utmost emptiness. Abide in steadfast stillness.

Let muddy water stand and it will become clear.

The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.

Heavy is the root of light.

Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.

The high must make the low its base.

When taxes are too high, people go hungry.

What's the difference between yes and no?

Fame of self: Which matters more? Self or wealth: Which is more precious? Gain or loss: Which is more painful?

Those who have hardened, have a covenant with Death. Those who remain gentle are conjoined with Life.

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

When you extend your goodwill in every direction, regardless of circumstances, you begin to see that we are all one.

For one gains by losing And loses by gaining.