Laozi (b.604BCE-d:Unknown,) (also Lao-Tzu, Lao-Tsu, or Lao-tze) was a philosopher and poet of ancient China. He is best known as the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching and the founder of philosophical Taoism, but he is also revered as a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions. Although a legendary figure, he is usually dated to around the 6th century BC and reckoned a contemporary of Confucius, but some historians contend that he actually lived during the Warring States period of the 5th or 4th century BC. A central figure in Chinese culture, Laozi is claimed by both the emperors of the Tang dynasty and modern people of the Li surname as a founder of their lineage. Throughout history, Laozi’s work has been embraced by various anti-authoritarian movements.
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We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
—Laozi
A leader is most effective when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, his troops will feel they did it themselves.
—Laozi
He who loves the world as his body
may be entrusted with the empire.
—Laozi
For all things difficult to acquire, the intelligent man works with perseverance.
—Laozi
Topics: Intelligence, Perseverance
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.
—Laozi
Great acts are made up of small deeds.
—Laozi
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.
—Laozi
When you find the way others will find you.
—Laozi
The sage wears clothes of coarse cloth but carries jewels in his bosom; He knows himself but does not display himself; He loves himself but does not hold himself in high esteem. Thus he rejects the latter and takes the former.
—Laozi
If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
—Laozi
Topics: Charity, Intelligence, Giving
In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
—Laozi
Topics: Thinking, Work
Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
—Laozi
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
—Laozi
When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.
—Laozi
Know contentment and you will suffer no disgrace; Know when to stop and you will meet with no danger. You can then endure.
—Laozi
He who knows he has enough is rich.
—Laozi
Topics: Riches, Wealth
All things in the world come from being.|And being comes from non-being.
—Laozi
A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
—Laozi
The world is ruled by letting things take their course.
—Laozi
Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
—Laozi
Topics: Disorder, Intelligence, Cunning
The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white.
Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
—Laozi
He who has not faith in others shall find no faith in them.
—Laozi
Topics: Positive Attitudes, Health, Optimism
By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.
—Laozi
Topics: Attachment, Winning, Letting Go
To know you have enough is to be rich.
—Laozi
The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.
—Laozi
Topics: Wisdom, Giving
Confront the difficult when it is still easy: accomplish the great task by a series of small acts.
—Laozi
He who has no faith in others shall find no faith in them.
—Laozi
Topics: Belief, Faith
Manner is everything with some people, and something with everybody.
—Laozi
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.
—Laozi
He who conquers others is strong;
he who conquers himself is mighty.
—Laozi
To lead the people, walk behind them.
—Laozi
Topics: Leadership
There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. There is no greater guilt than discontent. And there is no greater disaster than greed.
—Laozi
What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.
—Laozi
Topics: Attitude, Perception
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
—Laozi
Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe.
—Laozi
A man who knows how little he knows is well, a man who knows how much he knows is sick. If, when you see the symptoms, you can tell, Your cure is quick.|A sound man knows that sickness makes him sick and before he catches it his cure is quick.
—Laozi
He who knows does not speak.
He who speaks does not know.
He who knows others is wise.
He who knows himself is enlightened.
He who conquers others has physical strength,
He who conquers himself is strong
—Laozi
Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved.
—Laozi
Topics: Mistakes, Failures, Failure
In ruling the people and in serving heaven it is best for a ruler to be sparing. It is because he is sparing that it may be said that he is able to follow the way from the start; Following the way from the start he may be said to accumulate an abundance of virtue; Accumulating an abundance of virtue there is nothing he cannot overcome; When there is nothing he cannot overcome, no one knows his limit; When no one knows his limit he can possess a state.
—Laozi
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