Laozi Quotes
No thought, no action, no movement, total stillness: only thus can one manifest the true nature and law of things from within and unconsciously, and at last become one with heaven and earth.
Stop leaving and you will arrive, Stop searching and you will see, Stop running away and you will be found.
Great indeed is the sublimity of the creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.
Fine words are traded. Noble deeds gain respect. But people who are not good, why abandon them?
Take time to listen to what is said without words, to obey the law too subtle to be written, to worship the unnameable and to embrace the unformed.
The reason why rivers and seas are able to be lords over a hundred mountain streams, is that they know how to keep below them. That is why they are able to reign over all the mountain streams.
The more laws and restrictions there are, The poorer people become. The sharper men's weapons, The more trouble in the land.
It (Tao) is eternally without desire. So, it can be called small. All things return to it, although it does not make itself their ruler. So, it can be called great.
The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth.
The man of knowledge acquires something new everyday, and the man of Tao lets go of something new every day.
If I have even just a little sense, I will walk on the main road and my only fear will be of straying from it. Keeping to the main road is easy, But people love to be sidetracked.
You will understand a great truth when you get to realize that what you do to others, you are doing to yourself.
Whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. What is soft is strong.
Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.
The master accomplishes more and more by doing less and less until finally he accomplishes everything by doing nothing.
If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind.
The great Way is all-pervading. It reaches to the left and to the right. All things depend on it with their existence. Still it demands no obedience.
The one who does not honor the teacher and the one who does not honor the task, although ever so knowledgeable, they are confused.
They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.
I alone have the mind of a fool, and am all muddled and vague. The people are so smart and bright. While I am just dull and confused.
The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it.
When merit has been achieved, do not take it to yourself; for if you do not take it to yourself, it shall never be taken from you.
