Taoism Quotes by Laozi · Page 9

I alone am different from the others, because I am nourished by the great mother.

— Laozi

Attain utmost emptiness. Abide in steadfast stillness.

— Laozi

Letting the mind control the vital breath is called force.

— Laozi

Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful.

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

The more sharp weapons people have in a country, the bigger the disorder will be.

— Laozi

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

— Laozi

Truly, only those who see illness as illness can avoid illness.

— Laozi

Is not the space between Heaven and Earth like a bellows? It is empty, but lacks nothing. The more it moves, the…

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get…

— Laozi

People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.

— Laozi

Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself.

— Laozi

Ancient masters of excellence had a subtle essence, and a depth too profound to comprehend.

— Laozi

The one who does not honor the teacher and the one who does not honor the task, although ever so knowledgeable, they…

— Laozi

To know that you do not know is the best. To pretend to know when you do not know is a disease.

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

Cautious, like crossing a river in the winter.

— Laozi

Love the whole world as if it were your self; then you will truly care for all things.

— Laozi

He (the Sage) does not show off, therefore he shines.

— Laozi

All things in the world are born out of being. Being is born out of non-being.

— Laozi

Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose.

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

Who has excess and supplies the world? Only the one who follows the Way.

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

The great Way is very straight, but people prefer to deviate.

— Laozi

The value comes from what is there, but the use comes from what is not there.

— Laozi

The sage does not strive to be great. Thereby he can accomplish the great.

— Laozi

What has no substance can penetrate what has no opening.

— Laozi

The Way is eternal. Until your last day, you are free from peril.

— Laozi

Can you care for the people and rule the country and not be cunning?

— Laozi

Those who know are not learned. Those who are learned do not know.

— Laozi

Heaven and Earth are not kind. They regard all things as offerings.

— Laozi

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

— Laozi

What should be shrunken must first be stretched.

— Laozi

The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong.

— Laozi

Other people have more than they need, I alone seem wanting.

— Laozi

Abandon knowledge and your worries are over.

— Laozi

True words are not pleasing. Pleasing words are not true.

— Laozi