Taoism Quotes

Although there are weapons for tens and hundreds of soldiers, they will not be used.

Profound virtue is indeed deep and wide. It leads all things back to the great order.

By not claiming to be first in the world one can rule.

Warriors say: I dare not be like the host, but would rather be like the guest. I dare not advance an inch, but would rather retreat a foot.

When equal armies battle, the grieving one will be victorious.

Excellent conquerors do not engage.

Obscure, like muddy waters.

The whole world says that my Way is great like nothing else. It is great because it is like nothing else. If it were like everything else, it would long ago have become insignificant.

Those who are quiet value the words. When their task is completed, people will say: We did it ourselves.

To be of few words is natural.

Where there is no conflict, there is no fault.

The valley spirit never dies. It is called the mystical female.

Can you open and close the gate of Heaven and act like a woman?

A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female.

Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby?

In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.

As soon as rules were made, names were given. There are already many names. One must know when it is enough.

If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country.

To rule by knowledge ravages the country.

When people do not dread authorities, then a greater dread descends.

Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life.

Those who advice the ruler on the Way, do not want the world subdued with weapons.

Battles are followed by years of famine.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are abhorred by all creatures. Anyone who follows the Way shuns them.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.

The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes.

Excellent soldiers are not furious.

He who treasures his body as much as the world can care for the world.

In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.

People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff.

The hard and stiff are death's companions. The soft and weak are life's companions.

Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.

The fish cannot leave the deep waters. The state's weaponry should not be displayed.

I was raised a Christian but have looked at other religions, some of the Eastern things. I was into Taoism for a while and Confucianism. Just different approaches and some have really stayed with me.

Compromise to please others is not as good as integrity that annoys others. Rather than be praised without being good, it is better to be slandered without being bad.

When people are determined, they can overcome fate; when the will is unified, it can mobilize energy. Enlightened people do not even let nature put them in a set mold.

If you fear that people will know if you do something bad, then there is something good in bad. If you are eager for people to know when you do something good, then there is something bad in good.

Virtue is the master of talent, talent is the servant of virtue. Talent without virtue is like a house where there is no master and their servant manages its affairs. How can there be no mischief?

Our body is a small universe; to regulate emotions and feelings is a way of harmonization.

Blessings often give rise to injury, so be careful when things are going your way. Success may be achieved after failure, so don't just give up when you've been disappointed.

If you do not join the polluted, then you are pure; if you reject society in search of purity, that is not purity but fanaticism.

Public behavior is nurtured in private; earthshaking measures come form careful steps.

Don't be too severe in criticizing people's faults; consider how much they can bear. Don't be too lofty in enjoining virtue, so people may be able to follow.

...people of old deemed freedom from greed precious, and this is how they got beyond the world.

One of our predecessors said, "Throwing away the inexhaustible treasury of your own home, you go with your bowl from door to door, acting like a beggar"

If you know that whatever is made inevitable breaks down, you needn't seek too hard for achievement. If you know that all living beings inevitably die, you needn't work too hard on health lore.

One gains by losing and loses by gaining.

Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Have the patience to wait! Be still and allow the mud to settle.

To light a candle is to cast a shadow...

The expensive car you bought doesn’t matter, but the way you treated the salesman did.