Laozi Quotes

A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female.

Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby?

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

As soon as rules were made, names were given. There are already many names. One must know when it is enough.

If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country.

To rule by knowledge ravages the country.

When people do not dread authorities, then a greater dread descends.

Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life.

Those who advice the ruler on the Way, do not want the world subdued with weapons.

Battles are followed by years of famine.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are abhorred by all creatures. Anyone who follows the Way shuns them.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.

The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes.

When the Way governs the world, the proud stallions drag dung carriages. When the Way is lost to the world, war horses are bred outside the city.

Excellent soldiers are not furious.

Conduct your triumph as a funeral.

The Tao which you know is not the eternal Tao

He who treasures his body as much as the world can care for the world.

In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.

People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff.

The hard and stiff are death's companions. The soft and weak are life's companions.

Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.

The fish cannot leave the deep waters. The state's weaponry should not be displayed.

Approach the universe with Tao, And evil will have no power. Not that evil is not powerful, But its power will not be used to harm others.

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

Understanding others is knowledge, Understanding oneself is enlightenment; Conquering others is power, Conquering oneself is strength.