Laozi (6th century BCE,) also Lao Tzu, Lao Jun, Tai Shang Lao-Jun, and Tai Shang Xuanyuan Huangdi, is a quasi-historical Chinese philosopher. He is long-honored in China as the father of Taoism (Daoism.) Although an obscure figure, he is the supposed author of the Tao-te Ching (Daodejing), the main text of Taoist philosophy and religious belief.
Scholars believe that the Tao-te ching (“The Way and Its Virtue” or “The Way and Its Power”) is a collection of writings by many different wise people. Consequently, the term Laozi may not be the name of a person, but an allusion to ‘the old master,’ denoting the accrued wisdom of old men and women of the culture in which Taoism began.
The Taoist school teaches quietism and a nonaggressive approach to life. Taoists believe in living life in its natural flow, what they refer to as an ‘effortless action.’
The principal source of information about Laozi’s life is a biography in the Shiji (“Records of the Historian”) by the historian Sima Qian. Writing in about 100 BCE, he had barely reliable information regarding the philosopher. Laozi was assumed a native of Quren, a village in the district of Hu in the Chu state, which corresponds to the contemporary Luyi in Henan province.
Based on its philological style and grammar, academics reckon that Tao-te ching must have been compiled in the fourth century BCE. It is a short text; perhaps nothing else of comparative length has been translated so often and so variously.
The French sinologist Max Kaltenmark wrote the biography Lao Tzu and Taoism (1969.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by 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
Topics: Failure, Action
The perfect man employs his mind as a mirror. It grasps nothing; it refuses nothing. It receives, but does not keep.
—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
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: Work, Thinking
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
To lead the people, walk behind them.
—Laozi
Topics: Leadership
He who loves the world as his body may be entrusted with the empire.
—Laozi
Confront the difficult when it is still easy: accomplish the great task by a series of small acts.
—Laozi
Great acts are made up of small deeds.
—Laozi
He who has no faith in others shall find no faith in them.
—Laozi
Topics: Faith, Belief
The world is ruled by letting things take their course.
—Laozi
A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
—Laozi
Topics: Learning, Knowledge
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.
—Laozi
Topics: Wisdom, Intelligence, Win, Power, Awareness, Strength, Action
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
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
Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
—Laozi
Topics: Cunning, Intelligence, Disorder
A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him. But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: “we did it ourselves.”
—Laozi
Topics: Leadership, Love, People, Leaders
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
—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 is strong who conquers others; He who conquers himself is mighty.
—Laozi
Topics: Knowledge, Self-Control, Discipline
When you find the way others will find you.
—Laozi
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.
—Laozi
Topics: Leadership
Marriage is three parts love and seven parts forgiveness of sins.
—Laozi
Topics: Marriage
He who has not faith in others shall find no faith in them.
—Laozi
Topics: Positive Attitudes, Optimism, Health
Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.
—Laozi
Topics: Health
If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
—Laozi
Topics: Charity, Giving, Intelligence
When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.
—Laozi
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.
—Laozi
For all things difficult to acquire, the intelligent man works with perseverance.
—Laozi
Topics: Perseverance, Intelligence
Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
—Laozi
Topics: Desire, Happiness, Simple Living, Simplicity, Selfishness, Desires
Know contentment and you will suffer no disgrace. Know when to stop and you will meet with no danger. You can then endure.
—Laozi
There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. There is no greater guilt than discontentment. And there is not greater disaster than greed.
—Laozi
Even a journey of a thousand miles starts from right under one’s feet.
—Laozi
Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved.
—Laozi
Topics: Failure, Mistakes, Failures
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
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: Winning, Letting Go, Attachment
What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.
—Laozi
Topics: Attitude, Perception
The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
—Laozi
We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
—Laozi
Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires.
—Laozi
The sage never tries to store things up. The more he does for others, the more he has. The more he gives to others, the greater his abundance.
—Laozi
Topics: Wisdom, Giving
He who knows he has enough is rich.
—Laozi
Topics: Riches, Wealth
To know you have enough is to be rich.
—Laozi
All things in the world come from being.
And being comes from non-being.
—Laozi
I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.
—Laozi
Topics: Leadership, Leaders
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Zhuang Zhou Chinese Taoist Philosopher
Confucius Chinese Philosopher
Sun Tzu Chinese Military Leader
Lin Yutang Chinese Author, Philologist
Jianzhi Sengcan Chinese-Buddhist Monk
Pythagoras Greek Philosopher
Anacharsis Scythian Prince
Ralph Waldo Emerson American Philosopher
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Indian Hindu Philosopher
Jiddu Krishnamurti Indian Philosopher