List of Lao Tse quotes from the Tao Te Ching

Emperor Hui Tsung Practising with the Buddhist Sect Tao-See, from a History of the Emperors of China Giclee Print
Chinese School

He who knows much about others may be learned, but he who understands himself is more intelligent. He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

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

People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.

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

The best soldier does not attack. The superior fighter succeeds without violence. The greatest conqueror wins without struggle. The most successful manager leads without dictating. This is intelligent non aggressiveness. This is called the mastery of men.

Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.

Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.

We turn clay to make a vessel, but it is on the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the vessel depends.

Wonder into wonder existence opens.

A tree that can fill the span of a man's arms grows from a downy tip; A terrace nine stories high rises from level earth; A journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath one's feet.

Wisdom Art Print
Henson, Richard

To know that you do not know is the best. To pretend to know when you do not know is a disease.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

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

He who loves the world as his body may be entrusted with the empire.

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

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

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

Avoid putting yourself before others, and you can become a leader among men.

Goodness in words creates trust, goodness in thinking creates depth, goodness in giving creates love.

Prepare for the difficult while it is still easy. Deal with the big while it is still small. Difficult undertakings have always started with what's easy. Great undertakings always started with what is small. Therefore the sage never strives for the great, And thereby the great is achieved.

The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced.

In this world, there is nothing softer or thinner than water. But to compel the hard and unyielding, it has no equal. That the weak overcomes the strong, that the hard gives way to the gentle -- this everyone knows. Yet no one acts accordingly.

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.

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

Seek not happiness too greedily, and be not fearful of happiness.

The Tao Te Ching or Dao De Jing, originally known as Laozi, is a Chinese classic text. Its name comes from the opening words of its two sections: dao "way,"...

When armies are mobilized and issues are joined, the man who is sorry over the fact will win.

He who overcomes others is strong, but he who overcomes himself is mighty.

Rumi is best known as a poet to the Western world, but he was also a Sunni Muslim Islamic Jurist, a theologian and sufi mystic. His works were written 13th century...

Yours and my favorite quotes from the Christian tradition & links to more Christian and Spiritual quotes. There are quotes praising Jesus, Bible Quotes, but...

On LOVE in all its manifestations: romantic love, spiritual love, love as a source of creativity etc. Love quotes and links to more quotes on love. Love is...

Famous for 'The Prophet', Khalil Gibran was also a successful immigrant in the US (from Lebanon). This lens will show you his artwork as well as give...

I've gathered together some of the best quotes of the wisest people around. I hope you find them as inspirational as I do. Meet people like Karen Armstrong,...

In Chinese astrology the dragon will be born in 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 or 2012. Getting them a dragon is a perfect way to get in...

Dragons feature in the Mythology of regions as diverse as China, the Middle East, and Europe. While no one can be sure about the exact origins of these awe-inspiring...

Or The Male Water Dragon, to be more precise! Most of us are aware that the Chinese Zodiac comprises of Twelve Animals, and each year is named after an Animal. There...

The rise of the Chinese economy during the past three decades has been spectacular to say the least. Recently, China displaced Japan as the second largest ...

Confucius was born about 5 centuries before Jesus in China's Lu province. Like Jesus he traveled widely to spread his philosophy of life. There are lots of...

Dragon is the most potent animal in the Chinese Zodiac. It symbolizes ambition and drive. People born in the year of Dragon are strong willed and like to set...

Feng Shui has been practiced in China and East Asia since the ancient times. This intricate system of aesthetics is supposed to use the laws of Astronomy and...

According to tradition, the Tao Te Ching (or Dao De Djing) was written around the 6th century BC by the sage Laozi (or Lao Tzu, Lao Tse, "Old Master"),...

Confucianism is one of the main philosophies of China, having left it's mark on it's whole bureaucracy and governmental structure. There is debate on whether...

Tao or Dao literally means 'way', 'path', or 'route'. it is generally used to signify the primordial essence or fundamental aspect of the universe. De is the...

Very inspiring. About leadership, living life and letting things be (that you can't control anyhow). This lens has quotes from the Tao Te Ching and information...

Zen originates from Chinese Chan, which in turn comes from the Sanskrit word Dhyan (meditation or meditative state). Our lives and the Universe, if we look...

The Tao Te Ching or Dao De Jing, originally known as Laozi, is a Chinese classic text. Its name comes from the opening words of its two sections: dao "way,"...

Gathering all my spiritual book reviews together. Religion and spirituality fascinates me no end. I also love to read books - this lens combines both fascinations....

It's good for kids to be read to, and what better time to honor this tradition than around Christmas time? The books on this page each lend themselves to this...

These books explain Buddhism for a modern Western audience. They generally focus on the practical aspects of Buddhism: how to live your life well and meditation. When...

The Dalai Lama is that unique mix of a spiritual teacher and a political leader. Unlike the Pope he is virtually uncontested as a spiritual inspiration. His...

The 10 Commandments were given to Moses by God thousands of years ago, yet these moral and religious principles are relevant for modern life.These ...

One of the deepest hyped spiritual books of the late 20th century is 'a Course in Miracles' (also known as ACIM). It uses Christian symbols and imagery, but...

Learn about karma and reincarnation from the perspective of Buddhism, Theosophy and Hinduism. But also based on the science of past life memories of children...

Zen Buddhism is perhaps one of the least understood forms of Buddhism, precisely because it's so well known. On the other hand - perhaps it's the type of ...

Religion and spirituality are often important to teenagers. Late teens especially have loads of questions about God, the meaning of life and lifestyle choices...

Because modern life is so very busy, so full of sensory impressions from the internet, tv, music, traffic etc. many people need to be reminded of something most...

The Three Wise Men, also known as The Three Magi and The Three Kings have always been a part of the Nativity. Not much is known about them, except the fact...

If you are into a specific type of Buddhism - don't think you already know what 'Buddhism' is. Buddhism comes in a variety of forms and they disagree on issues...

I've made several reviews of books about the world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism etc. I've also found you some books about religion...

Krishnamurti's books were usually compiled by others from his talks. Below you will find introductions to his work, but also deeper philosophic reflection...

Most kids love to draw and color. Coloring Books are a great way to introduce kids to the Holy Bible and Biblical characters. Some of the Bible Coloring Books...

Mother Mary, also known as Maryam, Miriam, Saint Mary, Blessed Mary, and Virgin Mary - conceived Jesus through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. She is...

Jalaladin Rumi was born in Wakhsh in Tajikistan on the 30th September 1207 to a family of learned Muslim theologians. Escaping the Mongol invasion and destruction,...

Becoming an adult is a hard business: are they boys or men? Boys in their late teens will often struggle with spiritual questions to combine with their...

Let's face it - peer pressure is a very strong influence. Be it children, teens, or adults - we all like to considered a normal part of the society and circle...

A very scholarly translation and commentary on THE yoga classic: the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. Taimni not only explains each sutra, but also puts them in...