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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.

“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

All Quotes by Lao Tzu

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

— Lao Tzu

Great

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

— Lao Tzu

Wisdom

“Great acts are made up of small deeds.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

— Lao Tzu

Nature

“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

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

— Lao Tzu

Love

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

— Lao Tzu

Best

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

— Lao Tzu

Respect

“The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'”

— Lao Tzu

Good

“Silence is a source of great strength.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

“Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

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

— Lao Tzu

Love

“From caring comes courage.”

— Lao Tzu

Courage

“If 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.”

— Lao Tzu

Change

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

— Lao Tzu

Courage

“Nature is not human hearted.”

— 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

“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”

— Lao Tzu

Music

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

— Lao Tzu

Great

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

— Lao Tzu

Patience