Lao Tzu

Explore inspiring quotes by Lao Tzu, a remarkable figure whose words continue to inspire and motivate people around the world.

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Featured Quotes by Lao Tzu

Some of the most memorable quotes from this author

"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."

— Lao Tzubest

"When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"

— Lao Tzubest

"To know yet to think that one does not know is best Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty."

— Lao Tzubest

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

— Lao Tzuchange

"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."

— Lao Tzuchange

"Truthful words are not beautiful beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive persuasive words are not good."

— Lao Tzucommunication

All Quotes by Lao Tzu

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"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."

-Lao Tzu

bestView Quote

"When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"

-Lao Tzu

bestView Quote

"To know yet to think that one does not know is best Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty."

-Lao Tzu

bestView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

changeView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

changeView Quote

"Truthful words are not beautiful beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive persuasive words are not good."

-Lao Tzu

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"From caring comes courage."

-Lao Tzu

courageView Quote

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

-Lao Tzu

courageView Quote

"Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline simulated fear postulates courage simulated weakness postulates strength."

-Lao Tzu

courageView Quote

"Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides."

-Lao Tzu

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"People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure."

-Lao Tzu

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"In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present."

-Lao Tzu

familyView Quote

"Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline simulated fear postulates courage simulated weakness postulates strength."

-Lao Tzu

fearView Quote

"Truthful words are not beautiful beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive persuasive words are not good."

-Lao Tzu

goodView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

goodView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

goodView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

goodView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

goodView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

goodView Quote

"The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"

-Lao Tzu

goodView Quote

"Because of a great love, one is courageous."

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

"Silence is a source of great strength."

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

"All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small."

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

"Great acts are made up of small deeds."

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

"The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

greatView Quote

"Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy."

-Lao Tzu

healthView Quote

"Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy."

-Lao Tzu

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"If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence."

-Lao Tzu

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"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."

-Lao Tzu

knowledgeView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

knowledgeView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

leadershipView Quote

"When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"

-Lao Tzu

leadershipView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

lifeView Quote

"In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present."

-Lao Tzu

lifeView Quote

"Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides."

-Lao Tzu

lifeView Quote

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

-Lao Tzu

loveView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

loveView Quote

"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love."

-Lao Tzu

loveView Quote

"Because of a great love, one is courageous."

-Lao Tzu

loveView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

loveView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

loveView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

menView Quote

"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."

-Lao Tzu

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"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

-Lao Tzu

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"Nature is not human hearted."

-Lao Tzu

natureView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

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

-Lao Tzu

patienceView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

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"Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power."

-Lao Tzu

powerView Quote

"The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days."

-Lao Tzu

powerView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

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"Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power."

-Lao Tzu

strengthView Quote

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

-Lao Tzu

strengthView Quote

"Silence is a source of great strength."

-Lao Tzu

strengthView Quote

"Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline simulated fear postulates courage simulated weakness postulates strength."

-Lao Tzu

strengthView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

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"The words of truth are always paradoxical."

-Lao Tzu

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"When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth it is the beginning of disorder."

-Lao Tzu

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"Silence is a source of great strength."

-Lao Tzu

wisdomView Quote

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

-Lao Tzu

wisdomView Quote

"Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment."

-Lao Tzu

wisdomView Quote

"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."

-Lao Tzu

workView Quote

"In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present."

-Lao Tzu

workView Quote

"When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"

-Lao Tzu

workView Quote

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