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Lao Tzu

48 quotes

Lao Tzu (6th century BC) was an ancient Chinese philosopher traditionally regarded as the founder of Taoism and the author of the *Tao Te Ching*. His teachings on simplicity, humility, and living in harmony with the natural order of the universe have influenced philosophy, religion, and art across East Asia and beyond for millennia.

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“It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.”

— Lao Tzu

Nature

All Quotes by Lao Tzu

“From caring comes courage.”

— Lao Tzu

Courage

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

— Lao Tzu

Good

“Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

“To know yet to think that one does not know is best Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.”

— Lao Tzu

Best

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

— Lao Tzu

Death

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

— Lao Tzu

Intelligence

“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.”

— Lao Tzu

Wisdom

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

— Lao Tzu

Love

“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

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

— Lao Tzu

Power

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

— Lao Tzu

Respect

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

— Lao Tzu

Knowledge

“When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'”

— Lao Tzu

Best

“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.”

— Lao Tzu

Good

“Truthful words are not beautiful beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive persuasive words are not good.”

— Lao Tzu

Communication

“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.”

— Lao Tzu

Good

“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.”

— Lao Tzu

Truth

“It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.”

— Lao Tzu

Nature

“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.”

— Lao Tzu

Best

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

— Lao Tzu

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