Lao Tzu Quotes: Ancient Wisdom & Taoism

Silence is a source of great strength.

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.

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

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

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

A man with outward courage dares to die: a man with inner courage dares to live.

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.

The best fighter is never angry.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

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

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.

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

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

The heart that gives, gathers.

Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.

To lead the people, walk behind them.

Freedom from desire leads to inner peace.

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. if you are at peace, you are living in the present.

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

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.

New beginnings are disguised as painful endings.

Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?

Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.

We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.

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

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

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.