Lao-tzu Quotes

Lao-tzu was a philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching. His association with the Tào Té Chīng has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of philosophical Taoism.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao-tzu

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

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.
Lao-tzu

He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.
Lao-tzu

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
Lao-tzu

He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.
Lao-tzu

Silence is a source of great strength.
Lao-tzu

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

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

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

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.
Lao-tzu

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

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

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.
Lao-tzu

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Lao-tzu

Be the chief but never the lord.
Lao-tzu

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

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

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

Great acts are made up of small deeds.
Lao-tzu

Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge.
Lao-tzu

To see things in the seed, that is genius.
Lao-tzu

He who talks more is sooner exhausted.
Lao-tzu

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