31 Quotes of Lao Tzu (Old Master)

Lao-Tzu 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.

01. All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power.

02. In the world, there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet, for attacking that which is hard and strong –nothing can surpass it.

03. If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow how to follow them.

04. Silence is a source of great strength.

05. Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.

06. Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.

07. He, who has power over others, can’t empower himself.

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

09. If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtle perception of the way things are. 

10. 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. 

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

12. The soft overcomes hard. The slow overcomes the fast.

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

14. Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.

15. He, who rushes ahead, doesn’t go far.

16. He, who tries to shine, dims his own light.

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

18. He who defines himself can’t know who he really is.

19. Express yourself completely & the keep quiet. Be like the forces of nature: when it blows there is only wind; when it rains, there is only rain; when the cloud pass, the Sun shines all the way through.

20. When nothing is done, nothing left undone.

21. When you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying there is nothing you cannot achieve.

22. If you want to become whole, let yourself be partial. If you want to be straight, let yourself be crooked. If you want to become full, let yourself be empty. If you want to be reborn, let yourself die. If you want to be given, give everything up.  

23. He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures.

24. The wise man is one who knows what he does not know.

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

26. The Sage does not hoard. The more he help 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 Sage is to act but not to compete.

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

28. New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.

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

30. Health is the greatest possession, contentment is the greatest treasure, confidence is the greatest friend, and non-being is the greatest joy.      

31. If you realize that you have enough, you’re truly Rich.