Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism, left a profound legacy with his wisdom, primarily compiled in the Tao Te Ching. His teachings revolve around harmony, balance, simplicity, and living in accordance with nature. Here’s an extensive collection of his most famous quotes:
Lao Tzu Quotes On Wisdom and Knowledge
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
“He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.”
“Silence is a source of great strength.”
“A wise man is one who knows what he does not know.”
“The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Simplicity and Nature
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
“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.”
“Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.”
“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”
“Great acts are made up of small deeds.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Leadership and Power
“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.”
“The best fighter is never angry.”
“To lead the people, walk behind them.”
“Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.”
“Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Life and Harmony
“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.”
“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”
“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.”
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Strength and Resilience
“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.”
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
“He who stands on tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace.”
“A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Balance and the Tao
“The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.”
“The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it does not create them. It pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim.”
“Knowing when to stop is the key to wisdom.”
“The more you know, the less you understand.”
“When there is no desire, all things are at peace.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Kindness and Compassion
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
“If you want to awaken all of humanity, awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.”
“Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.”
“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”
“Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus, goodness is attained.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Desire and Contentment
“The more you know, the less you need.”
“He who is contented is rich.”
“If you chase after money, security, and power, your heart will never unclench.”
“To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.”
“He who hoards, loses. He who gives, gains.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Action and Effortlessness
“Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?”
“By doing nothing, everything is done.”
“Act without expectation.”
“In the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added. In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped.”
“When you accept yourself, the whole world accepts you.”
Lao Tzu Quotes On Happiness and Fulfillment
“Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.”
“He who finds no value in the small will never find satisfaction in the great.”
“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.”
“Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found.”
These quotes by Lao Tzu continue to inspire and guide people toward simplicity, peace, and harmony.
Deniz Yalım is the founder and visionary behind BayArt, a platform renowned for its deeply resonant and inspirational content focusing on love, relationship, happiness, success and motivation.
With a background rich in literature, psychology, and communication, Deniz has dedicated their career to the art of using words to inspire and empower. Passionate about the transformative power of language, Deniz has skillfully curated BayArt to be a platform for those seeking wisdom and guidance in the realms of love and life.
Their writings not only reflect a deep understanding of human emotions and relationships but also aim to ignite change and encourage positive thinking. Through BayArt, Deniz Yalım continues to touch lives, offering solace, motivation, and a sense of connectedness to a global community.