Laozi Quotes

Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature.

He (the sage) wants all things to follow their own nature, but dares not act.

Wary, as if surrounded by strangers.

Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by starting with it when small.

That which shrinks must first expand.

He who walks on tip-toe does not walk on solid ground.

The ancients said: Hulk to be whole.

Dignified, like a guest.

When people are unsettled, loyal ministers arise.

When many people are killed, they should be mourned and lamented. Those who are victorious in war should follow the rites of funerals.

The one who rules like the mother lasts long.

Although there are weapons for tens and hundreds of soldiers, they will not be used.

The greatest teacher has nothing to say. He simply gives himself in service, and never worries.

To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will in the kingdom.

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

The (method of) correction shall by a turn become distortion, and the good in it shall by a turn become evil.

Its name-what passes not away.

Great, it passes on (in constant flow).

He does not feel pity for himself - thus he can successfully develop.

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

He does not praise himself - yet he is respectable.

You should rule a great country As you would fry a small fish- With the least turning.

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.

The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.

Of the second-rate leaders people speak respectfully saying, "He has done this, he has done that." Of the first-rate leaders, they do not say this. They say, "We have done it all ourselves."

By letting go, it all gets done.

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

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

A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, the great country ought to yield.

Warriors say: I dare not be like the host, but would rather be like the guest. I dare not advance an inch, but would rather retreat a foot.

When equal armies battle, the grieving one will be victorious.

Who can wait quietly until the mud settles? Who can remain still until the moment of action?

Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.

Excellent conquerors do not engage.

In the Golden Age, Rulers were unknown. In the following age Rulers were loved and praised. Next came the age When rulers were feared. Finally the age When rulers are hated.

Weapons are not proper instruments for gentle people; they use them only when they have no other choice. Peace and quiet are what they value. They do not glory in victory.

It is because every one tinder Heaven recognizes beauty as beauty that the idea of ugliness exists.

Spokes unite in the hub of a wheel.

The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people will be. The more laws are promulgated, the more thieves and bandits there will be.

Nothing on earth is so weak and yielding as water, but for breaking down the firm and strong it has no equal.

Man at his birth is supple and tender, but in death, he is rigid and hard. Thus, suppleness and tenderness accompany life, but rigidity and hardness accompany death.

Governing a large state is like boiling a small fish.

Carrying body and soul and embracing the one, Can you avoid separation?

Obscure, like muddy waters.

The whole world says that my Way is great like nothing else. It is great because it is like nothing else. If it were like everything else, it would long ago have become insignificant.

Those who are quiet value the words. When their task is completed, people will say: We did it ourselves.

To be of few words is natural.

Where there is no conflict, there is no fault.

The valley spirit never dies. It is called the mystical female.

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