Lao Tzu

Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.

Time is a created thing. To say “I don’t have time”, is like saying, “I don’t want to”.

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.

When you realise nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.

To see things in the seed, that is genius.

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.

Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.

The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.

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

He who is contented is rich.

To lead people walk behind them.

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

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

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

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

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.

From caring comes courage.

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.

Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.

Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.

Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

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.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

Silence is a source of great strength.

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.

Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

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.

Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.

An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

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.

Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.

The words of truth are always paradoxical.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.

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

One who believes in himself has no need to convince others.

Let life ripen and then fall. Will is not the way at all.

The best fighter is never angry.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Always say less than necessary.