Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Laozi (Chinese Philosopher)

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

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.
Laozi
Topics: Travel, Tourism

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

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: Letting Go, Winning, Attachment

The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, “We did it ourselves.”
Laozi
Topics: Leadership

When spring comes the grass grows by itself.
Laozi
Topics: Spring

Build up virtue, and you master all.
Laozi
Topics: Excellence, Goodness, Kindness, Action, Virtue

The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.
Laozi
Topics: Understanding

Great acts are made up of small deeds.
Laozi

To see things in the seed is genius.
Laozi
Topics: Genius

The longest journey begins with a single step.
Laozi
Topics: Walking

Pride attaches undue importance to the superiority of one’s status in the eyes of others; And shame is fear of humiliation at one’s inferior status in the estimation of others. When one sets his heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he is automatically involved in fear of losing his status
Laozi
Topics: Accomplishment

Nature’s way is simple and easy, but men prefer what is intricate and artificial.
Laozi
Topics: Nature

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.
Laozi
Topics: Water, Power

People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.
Laozi
Topics: Failure, Success

The sage does not hoard. Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more; having given all he has to others, he is richer still.
Laozi
Topics: Misery, Money

To lead the people, walk behind them.
Laozi
Topics: Leadership

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
Laozi
Topics: Learning, Safety, Knowledge

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.
Laozi
Topics: Disorder, Morals, Morality

There are many paths to enlightenment. Be sure to take one with a heart.
Laozi

The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms
Laozi
Topics: Universe

He who knows he has enough is rich.
Laozi
Topics: Wealth, Riches

Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.
Laozi
Topics: Simplicity

Those who know do not tell; those who tell do not know.
Laozi
Topics: Knowledge

He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.
Laozi
Topics: Communication

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
Laozi
Topics: People

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

Because of a great love, one is courageous.
Laozi
Topics: Bravery, Courage

Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong
Laozi
Topics: Water

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

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants.
Laozi
Topics: Travel, Journeys

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