Laozi Quotes

The superior leader keeps informed about everything but interferes hardly at all.

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

When you accept yourself, the Universe accepts you.

Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose.

With virtue and quietness one may conquer the world.

To see things in the seed, that is genius.

He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.

Those who understand others are clever, those who understand themselves are wise.

Abandon cleverness, discard profit, and thieves and robbers will disappear.

Conquering others takes force, conquering yourself is true strength.

Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over the world.

Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.

If you want to know me, look inside your heart.

Nothing and no one in the world is valuable or worthless.

Learn to lead in a nourishing manner. Learn to lead without being possessive. Learn to be helpful without taking the credit. Learn to lead without coercion.

The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.

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

If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.

Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.

Health is the greatest possession.

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

He who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.

In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart.

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.

Face the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big.

To have enough of enough is always enough.

Use justice to rule a country. Use surprise to wage war. Use non-action to govern the world.

Not all spiritual paths lead to the harmonious Oneness. Indeed, most are detours and distractions, nothing more.

There is no illusion great than fear.

Knowing that you do not know is the best. Not knowing that you do not know is an illness.

Throw away profit and greed, and there won't be any thieves.

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

Just as the value of a house lies in its location, The value of a mind lies in its depth, The value of giving lies in the presence of a generous spirit, The value of words lies in their reliability.

When there is no desire, all things are at peace

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

He who stands on tiptoe does not stand firm.

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

No weapon is sharper than will.

When people see some things as good, other things become bad.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

Can you step back from your own mind and thus understand all things?

Sometimes gain comes from losing, and sometimes loss comes from gaining.

Use the light that is in you to recover your natural clearness of sight

Leadership is your ability to hide your panic from others.

When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance.

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

Before healing others, heal yourself

Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river.

If you are at peace, you are living in the present.

Giving to others selflesly and anonymously, radiating light throughout the world and illuminating your own darkness, your virtue becomes a sanctuary for yourself and all beings.