Quotes By Lao Tzu

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.

The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be.

He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.

Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.

Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.

To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.

The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.

I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any.

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.

Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.

When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

Nature is not human hearted.

The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.