Lao Tzu Poet Quotations

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

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.

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

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

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

Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.

He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.

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

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.

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

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.

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

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

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

One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.

Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.

Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.

Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.

The career of a sage is of two kinds: He is either honored by all in the world, Like a flower waving its head, Or else he disappears into the silent forest.

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.

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.

One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.

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

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.

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

How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?

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

Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.

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

To see things in the seed, that is genius.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them -- that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage.