All Laozi Quotes
- 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… Attitude
- Goodness strives not, and therefore it is not rebuked. Goodness
- 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… Astray
- 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… All
- 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… Child
- 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… Account
- 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,… Diminished
- 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… All
- 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… Attain
- 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.… Able
- 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… All
- 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… Achieve
- 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,… Aim
- Gentleness brings victory to him who attacks, and safety to him who defends. Those whom Heaven would save, it fences round with gentleness. Attacks
- 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.… Ancients
- 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… Abilities
- Only by working within the laws that govern the flow of water will happiness be achieved. Achieved
- Hold on to the center and make up your mind to rejoice in this paradise called life. Appreciation
- He who overcomes others has force; he who overcomes himself is strong. Force
- 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… Army
- Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. Always Rebounds
- The Way to do is to be. Inspirational
- He who knows enough is enough will always have enough. Giving
- He who is able to conquer others is powerful; he who is able to conquer himself is more powerful. Able
- When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish. Filled