Quotes from Laozi

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

Lightly given promises must meet with little trust.

Without stirring abroad, One can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes The less one knows.

Kindness in thinking creates profundity. Kindness in giving creates love.

He who loves does not dispute: He who disputes does not love.

When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.

Because of deep love, one is courageous. Because of frugality, one is generous. Because of not daring to be ahead of the world, one becomes the leader of the world.

Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven.

Kindness in thought leads to wisdom. Kindness in speech leads to eloquence. Kindness in action leads to love.

. . . the mind is desperate to fix the river {of events} in place: Possessed by ideas of the past, preoccupied with images of the future, it overlooks the plain truth of the moment.

Don't imagine that you'll discover {the truth} by accumulating more knowledge. Knowledge creates doubt, and doubt makes you ravenous for more knowledge. You can't get full eating this way.

You will understand a great truth when you get to realize that what you do to others, you are doing to yourself.

All action begins in rest... This is the ultimate truth.

The truth often sounds paradoxical.

Can you be still and look inside?If so, then you know the truth is always available, and always responsive.

The words of truth are always paradoxical. To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

Though tightly the net of words forms, how surely truth slips out.

The wise does not think that only he is right -thus he knows the truth.

Truth sounds paradoxical!

Love is the greatest link that we have with those who have temporarily left us.

Highest good is like water. Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes closest to the way.

He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love.

The very highest is barely known. Then comes that which people know and love, Then that which is feared, Then that which is despised. Who does not trust enough will not be trusted.

In the Golden Age, Rulers were unknown. In the following age Rulers were loved and praised. Next came the age When rulers were feared. Finally the age When rulers are hated.