Laozi Quotes

1065 quotes in 6043 categories

• Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus…
• Goodness strives not, and therefore it is not rebuked.
• He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that is…
• Therefore the Sage embraces Unity, and is a model for all under Heaven. He is free from self-display, therefore he shines forth; from self-assertion, therefore…
• He who, conscious of being strong, is content to be weak, he shall be the paragon of mankind. Being the paragon of mankind, Virtue will…
• He who is great must make humility his base. He who is high must make lowliness his foundation. Thus, princes and kings in speaking of…
• Thus it is that "Some things are increased by being diminished, others are diminished by being increased." What others have taught, I also teach; verily,…
• What makes a kingdom great is its being like a down-flowing river,--the central point towards which all the smaller streams under Heaven converge; or like…
• Therefore, if a great kingdom humbles itself before a small kingdom, it shall make that small kingdom its prize. And if a small kingdom humbles…
• The reason why rivers and seas are able to be lords over a hundred mountain streams, is that they know how to keep below them.…
• Therefore the Sage, wishing to be above the people, must by his words put himself below them; wishing to be before the people, he must…
• The Sage expects no recognition for what he does; he achieves merit but does not take it to himself; he does not wish to display…
• But in the present day men cast off gentleness, and are all for being bold; they spurn frugality, and retain only extravagance; they discard humility,…
• Gentleness brings victory to him who attacks, and safety to him who defends. Those whom Heaven would save, it fences round with gentleness.
• The best soldiers are not warlike; the best fighters do not lose their temper. The greatest conquerors are those who overcome their enemies without strife.…
• To practice virtue is to selflessly offer assistance to others, giving without limitation one's time, abilities, and possessions in service, whenever and wherever needed, without…
• Only by working within the laws that govern the flow of water will happiness be achieved.
• Hold on to the center and make up your mind to rejoice in this paradise called life.
• He who overcomes others has force; he who overcomes himself is strong.
• Do not conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance. Thorns spring up when an army passes. Years of misery follow a great…

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