Quotes from Lao Tzu

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.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

With those who are kindthe sage is kindWith those who are not kindthe sage is also kindbecause the way of Tao is kindness

The wise man does not lay up his own treasures.The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.

From caring comes courage.

Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.

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

No one can insult me, because I do not want respect.No one can defeat me, because I have given up the idea of winning.How can you defeat me? You can only defeat someone who wants to win.

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 ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people.

The best of all leaders is the one who helps people so that eventually they don't need him.

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

To lead people, you must follow behind.

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.

If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.

There was something undifferentiated and yet complete, which existed before Heaven and Earth. Soundless and formless, it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger. It may be considered the mother of the universe. I do not know its name; I call it Tao.

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.

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

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.

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

Heaven is long-enduring, and earth continues long. The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because they do not live of, or for, themselves.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering oneself makes you fearless.

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

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.