Taoism Quotes by Laozi · Page 11

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

— Laozi

Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.

— Laozi

Only I am clumsy, like drifting on the waves of the sea, without direction.

— Laozi

Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few.

— Laozi

All things flourish, and each returns to its source.

— Laozi

Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.

— Laozi

Excellent leaders of people lower themselves.

— Laozi

If princes and kings were not exalted they might be overthrown.

— Laozi

The supreme rulers are hardly known by their subjects. The lesser are loved and praised. The even lesser are feared. The least…

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will…

— Laozi

When the palace is magnificent, the fields are filled with weeds, and the granaries are empty.

— Laozi

The great Way is all-pervading. It reaches to the left and to the right. All things depend on it with their existence.…

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

Hold on to the great image, and the whole world follows, follows unharmed, content and completely at peace.

— Laozi

Misery is what happiness rests upon. Happiness is what misery lurks beneath.

— Laozi

When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises.

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

Can you step back from your own mind and thus understand all things?

— Laozi

Can you comprehend everything in the four directions and still do nothing?

— Laozi

The sage wears coarse clothes, concealing jade.

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

Supreme good is like water. Water greatly benefits all things, without conflict. It flows through places that people loathe. Thereby it is…

— Laozi

(The Tao) is always present and always available. . . . If you are willing to be lived by it, you will…

— Laozi

When the Way is lost there is virtue. When virtue is lost there is benevolence. When benevolence is lost there is righteousness.…

— Laozi

The weak overcomes the strong. The soft overcomes the hard. Everybody in the world knows this, still nobody makes use of it.

— Laozi

Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habit.

— Laozi

No misfortune is worse than underestimating the enemy. Underestimating the enemy, I risk losing my treasure.

— Laozi

Without the tao, Kindness and compassion are replaced by law and justice; Faith and trust are supplanted by ritual and ceremony.

— Laozi

Goodness in words creates trust, goodness in thinking creates depth, goodness in giving creates love.

— Laozi

Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over…

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

Knowing that you do not know is the best. Not knowing that you do not know is an illness.

— Laozi

Knowledge of the eternal is all-embracing. To be all-embracing leads to righteousness, which is majestic.

— Laozi

All things carry yin and embrace yang. They reach harmony by blending with the vital breath.

— Laozi

All men desire to free themselves solely from death; they do not know how to free themselves from life.

— Laozi