Quotes from Laozi

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

Approach your own inner life with a loving quality that accepts who you are without trying to change who you are.

Hold on to the center and make up your mind to rejoice in this paradise called life.

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

Nurture the spontaneous peaceful life.

If you practice inaction, nothing will be left undone: For the way to acquire lordship over society is by invariably not interfering.

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.

If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness.

To become learned, each day add something. To become enlightened, each day drop something

Live simply and virtuously, true to your nature, drawing no line between what is spiritual and what is not.

Not all spiritual paths lead to the harmonious Oneness. Indeed, most are detours and distractions, nothing more.

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

Understand this if nothing else: spiritual freedom and oneness with the Tao are not randomly bestowed gifts, but the rewards of conscious self-transformation and self-evolution.

Stop leaving and you will arrive, Stop searching and you will see, Stop running away and you will be found.

If I have even just a little sense, I will walk on the main road and my only fear will be of straying from it. Keeping to the main road is easy, But people love to be sidetracked.

He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.

Why separate your spiritual life and your practical life? To an integral being, there is no such distinction.

Through return to simple living comes control of desires. In control of desires stillness is attained. In stillness the world is restored.

Do nothing, and leave nothing undone. ["Doing nothing" is what happens when the doer disappears, it isn't something that one does or chooses not to do.]

{The cleansing of spiritual contamination} is accomplished by offering one's talent, resources, and life to the world.

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

Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.

Life and death are one thread.