Laozi Quotes

Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear.

A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.

The master observes the world but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. He prefers what is within to what is without.

As to the roaming of sages,
They move in utter emptiness,
Let their minds meander in the great nothingness;
They run beyond convention
And go through where there is no gateway.
They listen to the soundless
And look at the formless,
They are not constrained by society
And not bound to its customs.
- Lao-tzu

Manage affairs before they are in a mess.

Those who understand others are intelligent
Those who understand themselves are enlightened

Those who overcome others have strength
Those who overcome themselves are powerful

Those who know contentment are wealthy
Those who proceed vigorously have willpower

Those who do not lose their base endure
Those who die but do not perish have longevity

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.

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

Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.

Racing and hunting madden our minds.

Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.

Our enemies are not demons, but human beings like ourselves

With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their will.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish.