Tao ching Quotes by Laozi

If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.

— Laozi

He who stands on tiptoe does not stand firm.

— Laozi

...the more you talk of it, the less you understand.

— Laozi

A foolish man is always doing, Yet much remains to be done.

— Laozi

Yielding, like ice about to melt.

— Laozi

If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.

— Laozi

Observe how endings become beginnings.

— Laozi

The Tao that can be spoken is not the true Tao.

— Laozi

Attending fully and becoming supple, Can you be as a newborn babe?

— Laozi

I let go of all desire for the common good, and the good becomes as common as the grass.

— Laozi

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.

— Laozi

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.

— Laozi

Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.

— Laozi

The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.

— Laozi

Trustable words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not trustable.

— Laozi

In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart.

— Laozi

Know honor, Yet keep humility. Be the valley of the universe! Being the valley of the universe, Ever true and resourceful, Return…

— Laozi

Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment; Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength.

— Laozi

The Master's power is like this. He lets all things come and go effortlessly, without desire. He never expects results; thus he…

— Laozi

Yet mystery and imagination arise from the same source. This source is called darkness ... Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.

— Laozi

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but…

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.…

— Laozi

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.…

— Laozi

The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite?…

— Laozi

A great nation is like a great man:When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.Having realized it, he admits it.Having admitted it,…

— Laozi

The best leaders are those their people hardly know exist. The next best is a leader who is loved and praised. Next…

— Laozi

He who stands on tiptoe doesn't stand firm. He who rushes ahead doesn't go far. He who tries to shine dims his…

— Laozi

True words aren't eloquent; eloquent words aren't true. Wise men don't need to prove their point; men who need to prove their…

— Laozi

The mark of a moderate man is freedom from his own ideas. Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a…

— Laozi

The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.…

— Laozi

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there…

— Laozi

When people see some things as good, other things become bad.

— Laozi

Yielding is the way of the Tao.

— Laozi

Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.

— Laozi

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

— Laozi

Empty your mind of all thoughts.

— Laozi

The Tao is like a well; used but never used up.

— Laozi

Free from desire, you realize the mystery.

— Laozi

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

— Laozi