Laozi

“there is nothing like moderation.”

— Laozi

He who hoards much loses much.

— Laozi

Those who show off do not shine.

— Laozi

Kindness in words creates confidence.

— Laozi

Gain or loss, what is worse?

— Laozi

Good walking leaves no track behind it.

— Laozi

Dualistic thinking is a sickness.

— Laozi

Yielding, like ice about to melt.

— Laozi

“It produces them and makes no claim to the possession of them;”

— Laozi

Stretch the bow to the very full, and you will wish you had stopped in time.

— Laozi

Human being's essential nature is perfect and faultless.

— Laozi

The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes.

— Laozi

What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?

— Laozi

What man has more than enough and gives it to the world? Only the man of Tao.

— Laozi

Abandon learning and there will be no sorrow.

— Laozi

I am at peace, and people become fair by themselves.

— Laozi

Approach the universe with Tao, And evil will have no power. Not that evil is not powerful, But its power will not…

— Laozi

Abandon fancy theologies and imaginary ideas and do some ordinary daily work... {Engage in this work with} unswerving kindness and unending patience.

— Laozi

The eye with which you see God is the same eye with which God sees you; one in seeing; one in knowing;…

— Laozi

Man at his birth is supple and tender, but in death, he is rigid and hard. Thus, suppleness and tenderness accompany life,…

— Laozi

The ten thousand things flourish and then each returns to the root from which it came. Returning to the root is stillness.…

— Laozi

Only by working within the laws that govern the flow of water will happiness be achieved.

— Laozi

Arms are instruments of ill omen, not the instruments of the gentleman. When one is compelled to use them, it is best…

— Laozi

The sage knows himself, but does not parade. He cherishes himself, but does not praise himself.

— Laozi

Do not look only at yourself, and you will see much. Do not justify yourself, and you will be distinguished. Do not…

— Laozi

The universe is deathless; Is deathless because, having no finite self, it stays infinite. A sound man by not advancing himself stays…

— Laozi

A tree that can fill the span of a man's arms grows from a downy tip; A terrace nine stories high rises…

— Laozi

The mature person perceives the fruitlessness of rigid, external methodologies; Remembering this, he keeps his attitude unstructured at all times and thus…

— Laozi

If you go searching for the Great Creator, you will come back empty-handed. The source of the universe is ultimately unknowable, a…

— Laozi

Therefore: In dwelling, choose modest quarters, in thinking, value stillness, in dealing with others, be kind, in choosing words, be sincere, in…

— Laozi

Keep your mouth shut, and close up the doors of sight and sound, and as long as you live you will have…

— Laozi

There is no need to run outside for better seeing... Rather abide at the center of your being; For the more you…

— Laozi

Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn't try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every…

— Laozi

There are three layers to the universe. In the lower, Tai Ching, and the middle, Shan Ching, the hindrance of a physical…

— Laozi

When a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors. When a country goes counter to the…

— Laozi

Who is unhappy with little, won't be with much; who doesn't appreciate the small won't be able to take care of the…

— Laozi

The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people. She is good to people who…

— Laozi

There was something formless and perfect before the universe was born. It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present. It is…

— Laozi

Eliminate mental muddiness and obscurity; keep your mind crystal clear. Allow your pure original insight to emerge. Quiet your emotions and abide…

— Laozi

Therefore the Sage embraces Unity, and is a model for all under Heaven. He is free from self-display, therefore he shines forth;…

— Laozi