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Wisdom Quotes by Laozi

52 Wisdom quotes by Laozi

All Wisdom quotes Laozi’s page

Laozi reminds us that true wisdom comes from knowing ourselves, not just others. He teaches that a wise person does not compete, and that kindness in thought, speech, and action leads to love and clarity. Simple understanding can be found without leaving home.

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. . . Intelligence is not the same thing as wisdom.

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The wise man knows without traveling.

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When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises.

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The wise man puts himself last and finds himself first.

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Wise travelers always stop short before they come to danger.

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The wise man doesn't compete; therefore nobody can compete with him.

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The wise are not learned, the learned are not wise.

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

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

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Abandon wisdom, discard knowledge, and people will benefit a hundredfold.

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Much knowledge will corrupt the heart,/When partly understood,/And so the people grow too smart,/But neither wise nor good.

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The wise leader settles for good work and then lets others have the floor.

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Those who understand others are clever, those who understand themselves are wise.

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The wise trusts not only to his physical eyes - thus he can see clearly.

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

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Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature. The way of nature is unchanging. Knowing constancy is insight.

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The new life created by the final integration is self-aware yet without ego, capable of inhabiting a body yet not attached to…

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“Thus it is said: The path into light seems dark, the path forward seems to go back, the direct path seems long,…

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The wise person dines on something more subtle: He eats the understanding that the named was born from the unnamed, that all…

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The very highest is barely known. Then comes that which people know and love, Then that which is feared, Then that which…

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To realize that our knowledge is ignorance, This is a noble insight. To regard our ignorance as knowledge, This is mental sickness.…

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The wise man looks back into the past, and does not grieve over what is far off, nor rejoice over what is…

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Intellectual knowledge exists in and of the brain. Because the brain is part of the body, which must one day expire, this…

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The best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not compete with them. It stays in lowly places that…

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Throw away holiness and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times happier. Throw away morality and justice, and people will do…

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

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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…

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Those who know others are intelligent Those who know themselves have insight. Those who master others have force Those who master themselves…

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Peacefulness is an inner sense of calm - it comes from becoming still - in order to reflect and meditate on our…

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The wise stand out because they see themselves as part of the Whole. They shine because they don't want to impress. They…

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Without going out-of-doors, one can know all he needs to know. Without even looking out of his window, one can grasp the…

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True perfection seems imperfect, yet it is perfectly itself. True fullness seems empty, yet it is fully present. True straightness seems crooked.…

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Express yourself completely, then keep quiet. Be like the forces of nature: when it blows, there is only wind; when it rains,…

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Knowledge studies others, wisdom is self known.

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The wise cares about everyone, and he becomes an example to all.

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Those who know are wise. Those who know themselves are enlightened.

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Wise men hear and see as little children do.

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For knowledge, add something every day. For wisdom…subtract.

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The wise man knows he doesn't know.

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It is wisdom to know others. It is enlightenment to know oneself.

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More by Laozi

When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.

In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.

If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…

Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.

He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…

The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.

Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…

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

Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…

The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…

What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?

In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.

He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…

There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…

What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…