Lao Tzu

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

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

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

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.

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.

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.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

From caring comes courage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To lead people walk behind them.

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

He who is contented is rich.

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.

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

Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.

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

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

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

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

Silence is a source of great strength.

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

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

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.