Quotessence
Home / Authors / Laozi
Laozi

Laozi Quotes

Philosopher

Filter quotes by topic

AllTaoismTaoPeopleWayIfsWorldTao Te Ching LeadershipInspirationalKnowsMenTao ChingDoeTao Te ChingGivingSageAll ThingsHeavenMastersVirtueMind

Famous Laozi Quotes

“Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice. Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter his heart. Because he has given up helping, he is people's greatest help. True words seem paradoxical.”

PeopleKnowsWorldHeartHardHelpingSeemsTruthEvilGivenWaterPracticeStrengthMastersSorrowOvercomingRemainsGentleMidstGiven UpSereneParadoxicalDissolvingTrue Words
Author:Laozi
Create image

“Why are the people starving?- Because their grain is being eaten up by the taxes That's why they're starving Why are people rebellious?- Because those above them meddle in their lives That's why they're rebellious Why do people regard death so lightly?- Because they are so involved with their own living That's why they regard death so lightly In the end, The treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go”

PeopleLifeEndsLife IsInvolvedLetting GoTaxesRegardTreasureGrainStarvingRebellious
Author:Laozi
Create image

“When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and after follow each other. Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.”

PeopleLongDoneLastsBeautifulEasyDifficultForgetBeautyTeachSupportForeverMastersDependsLowsUglyDisappearAriseForget ItHighs And LowsTao Te ChingBefore And AfterTao ChingDifficult And Easy
Author:Laozi
Create image

“There is a big misunderstanding about the idea of naturalness. Most people who come to us believing in some freedom or naturalness, but their understanding is what we call [heretical naturalness] ... a kind of "let-alone policy" or sloppiness... For a plant or stone to be natural is no problem. But for us there is some problem, indeed a big problem. To be natural is something we must work on.”

PeopleBelieveKindIdeasProblemBigsUnderstandingNaturalPolicyQuietStonesPlantMisunderstandingNo ProblemBig ProblemsSloppiness
Author:Laozi
Create image

“The best leaders are those their people hardly know exist. The next best is a leader who is loved and praised. Next comes the one who is feared. The worst one is the leader that is despised ... The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly. When they have accomplished their task, the people say, "Amazing! We did it, all by ourselves!”

PeopleKnowsUseValuesNextLeaderWorstTasksAccomplishedTaoDespisedBest LeaderTao Te Ching LeadershipTao Te ChingTao ChingTao Wisdom
Author:Laozi
Create image

“The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of his enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people. All of the embody the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don't love to compete, but they do it in the spirit of play. In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao.”

PeopleWantMindChildrenPlaySpiritLeaderEnemyVirtueHarmonyCompetitionAthleteOpponentsBusinessmanTaoBest LeaderBest Athlete
Author:Laozi
Create image

“The ancient Masters didn't try to educate the people, but kindly taught them to not-know. When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don't know, people can find their own way. If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich. The simplest pattern is the clearest. Content with an ordinary life, you can show all people the way back to their own true nature.”

PeopleIfsThinkingKnowsWayWantTryingShowsDifficultAnswersRichTaughtMastersOrdinaryAncientPatternsGuidesCleverEducateTaoSimplestTrue NatureOrdinary Life
Author:Laozi
Create image

“If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. Thus the Master is content to serve as an example and not to impose her will. She is pointed, but doesn't pierce. Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes.”

PeopleIfsTryingCountryEyeEasyResultsMoralHonestExampleMastersHigherComfortableIdealsLaysMiseryVicesToleranceTaoRepressionStraightforwardWill PowerRadiantPierceMaking People HappyCraftySuppleGroundwork
Author:Laozi
Create image

“The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao. When rich speculators prosper While farmers lose their land; when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures; when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible while the poor have nowhere to turn- all this is robbery and chaos. It is not in keeping with the Tao.”

PeopleWayGovernmentTurnsEasySidesLosesPoorClassPathRichLandBalanceWeaponsChaosCuresEaseOfficialsFarmersTaoIrresponsibleExtravagantRobberyUpper ClassGovernment OfficialsSpeculatorsNowhere To Turn
Author:Laozi
Create image

“The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people. She is good to people who are good. She is also good to people who aren't good. This is true goodness. She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren't trustworthy. This is true trust. The Master's mind is like space. People don't understand her. They look to her and wait. She treats them like her own children.”

PeopleMindLooksChildrenWaitingSpaceMastersGoodnessTreatsTaoTrustworthyLike Her
Author:Laozi
Create image

“She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without danger. She perceives the universal harmony, even amid great pain, because she has found peace in her heart. Music or the smell of good cooking may make people stop and enjoy. But words that point to the Tao seem monotonous and without flavor. When you look for it, there is nothing to see. When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear. When you use it, it is inexhaustible.”

PeopleLooksHeartMayUseSeemsPainFoundWishEnjoyDangerUniversalHarmonyCookingSmellPerceiveFlavorTaoMonotonousGood Cook
Author:Laozi
Create image

“The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done. If powerful men and women could venter themselves in it, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace.”

PeopleIfsMenWorldDoeDoneWholeWould BeDesireNaturalSimplePowerfulMen And WomenAll ThingsHarmonyEverydayWhole WorldRhythmTransformedEveryday LifeTaoPowerful Man
Author:Laozi
Create image

“The Tao can't be perceived. Smaller than an electron, it contains uncountable galaxies. If powerful men and women could remain centered in the Tao, all things would be in harmony. The world would become a paradise. All people would be at peace, and the law would be written in their hearts. When you have names and forms, know that they are provisional. When you have institutions, know where their functions should end. Knowing when to stop, you can avoid any danger. All things end in the Tao as rivers flow into the sea.”

PeopleIfsKnowsMenWorldShouldHeartEndsWould BeFormLawNamesPowerfulKnowingWrittenSeaDangerMen And WomenFlowAll ThingsRiversFunctionHarmonyInstitutionsParadiseTaoGalaxyElectronsPowerful Man
Author:Laozi
Create image

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is. Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light. What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you don't understand this, you will get lost, however intelligent you are. It is the great secret.”

PeopleIfsMenWantMindUseLightJobsArtistLostSecretSituationTeacherPlansReadyMastersWasteConceptsScientistIntelligentAvailableIntuitionFixedRejectsGood ManTravelerTaoArrivingGood ArtBad ManTao Te ChingGood ArtistTao Ching
Author:Laozi
Create image

“If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal. The Master leads by emptying people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know. Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.”

PeopleIfsThinkingKnowsMenMindHelpingDesireFallLosesPracticeMastersAmbitionPossessionCoreStealingConfusionGreat MenResolvePowerlessTaoFillingWeakeningFall Into Place
Author:Laozi
Create image

“Arms are instruments of ill omen.... When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish. There is no glory in victory, and to glorify it despite this is to exult in the killing of men.... When great numbers of people are killed, one should weep over them with sorrow. When victorious in war, one should observe mourning rites.”

PeopleMenShouldWarUsePeaceNumbersArmsVictorySorrowGloryInstrumentsKillingIllDespiteMourningCompelledGlorifyRelishRiteOmen
Author:Laozi
Create image

“The leader is best, When people are hardly aware of his existence, Not so good when people praise his government, Less good when people stand in fear, Worst, when people are contemptuous. Fail to honor people, and they will fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who speaks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, The people say, 'We did it ourselves.'”

PeopleInspirationalLittlesDoneGovernmentSpeakExistenceLeaderFailingWorstHonorPraiseAimFulfilledGood LeaderContemptuous
Author:Laozi
Create image