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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.

“Nature is not human hearted.”

— Lao Tzu

Nature

All Quotes by Lao Tzu

“One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.”

— Lao Tzu

Peace

“How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?”

— Lao Tzu

Men

“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

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

— Lao Tzu

Love

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

— Lao Tzu

Health

“People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.”

— Lao Tzu

Failure

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

— Lao Tzu

Love

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

— Lao Tzu

Death

“Nature is not human hearted.”

— Lao Tzu

Nature

“Great acts are made up of small deeds.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

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

— Lao Tzu

Patience

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

— Lao Tzu

Great

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

— Lao Tzu

Intelligence

“A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.”

— Lao Tzu

Love

“From caring comes courage.”

— Lao Tzu

Courage

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

— Lao Tzu

Great

“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.”

— Lao Tzu

Good

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

— Lao Tzu

Wisdom

“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.”

— Lao Tzu

Life

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

— Lao Tzu

Trust