Laozi Quotes

The Way is ever without action, yet nothing is left undone.

All action begins in rest... This is the ultimate truth.

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.

Prepare while it's easy.

Those who have the courage to dare will perish. Those who have the courage not to dare will live.

All things of the world are born of being; being is born of nonbeing.

Letting the mind control the vital breath is called force.

Knowing honor, but clinging to disgrace, you become the valley of the world.

The sage has no concern for himself, but makes the concerns of others his own.

The seed of mystery lies in muddy water. How can I perceive this mystery? Water becomes clear through stillness. How can I become still? By flowing with the stream.

Those who praise victory relish manslaughter. Those who relish manslaughter cannot reach their goals in the world.

A winner listens, a loser just waits until it is their turn to talk.

Do not attempt to conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance.

Return animosity with virtue.

Stillness is the ruler of haste.

Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.

Without desire there is stillness, and the world settles by itself.

ALL things in Nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing. They fulfil their functions and make no claim.

He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.

The most fundamental seems fickle.

He (the Sage) does not show off, therefore he shines.

If I have just an ounce of sense, I follow the great Way, and fear only to stray from it.

Meet the difficult while it is easy.

Conquering the world and changing it, I do not think it can succeed.

By moderation one can be generous.

The Way begets one; one begets two; two begets three; three begets the myriad creatures.

The highest virtue seems as low as a valley.

The sage does not strive to be great. Thereby he can accomplish the great.

People turn their eyes and ears to him (the sage), and the sage cares for them like his own children.

Knowing the bright, but clinging to the dark, you become a model to the world.

As restrictions and prohibitions are multiplied the people grow poorer and poorer. When they are subjected to overmuch government, the land is thrown into confusion.

Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place.

The sage never strives for greatness, and can therefore accomplish greatness.

Simple, like uncarved wood.

The great Way is very straight, but people prefer to deviate.

If you see what is small as it sees itself, and accept what is weak for what strength it has, and use what is dim for the light it gives then all will go well. This is called Acting Naturally.

If you scramble about in search of inner peace, you will lose your inner peace.

The way is light and fluid for the man with no preferences.

Be truly whole, and all things will return to you.

...The sage, traveling all day, Does not lose sight of his baggage. Though there are beautiful things to be seen, He remains unattached and calm.

It is hidden but always present.

In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.

The highest virtue does nothing. Yet, nothing needs to be done. The lowest virtue does everything. Yet, much remains to be done.

Speaking with kindness creates confidence, thinking with kindness creates profoundness, giving with kindness creates love.

Lessen selfishness and restrain desires.

Only fools seek power, and the greatest fools seek it through force.

The Wise Man is square but not sharp, honest but not not malign, straight but not severe, bright but not dazzling.

What has not yet emerged is easy to prevent.

To bear and not to own; to act and not lay claim; to do the work and let it go: for just letting it go is what makes it stay.

Those who take long steps cannot keep the pace.