Quotes from Lao Tzu

The spirit of the valley never dies.It is called the subtle and profound female.The gate of the subtle and profound femaleIs the root of Heaven and Earth.It is continuous, and seems to be always existing.Use it and you will never wear it out.

Tao invariably takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone.Reversion is the action of Tao.Weakness is the function of Tao.All things in the world come from being.And being comes from non-being.

There is no calamity greater than lavish desires.There is no greater guilt than discontentment.And there is no greater disaster than greed.

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.

Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.

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.

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

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Heaven's net is indeed vast.Though its meshes are wide, it misses nothing.

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

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

The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.

Let there be a small country with few people….Though neighboring communities overlook one another and the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs can be heard,Yet the people there may grow old and die without ever visiting one another.

He who possesses virtue in abundanceMay be compared to an infant.

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

The Way of Heaven has no favorites.It is always with the good man.

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

Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river.

The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

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

The more laws and order are made prominent,The more thieves and robbers there will be.

Stop thinking, and end your problems.

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.Non-being penetrates that in which there is no space.Through this I know the advantage of taking no action.