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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.

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

— Lao Tzu

Change

All Quotes by Lao Tzu

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

— Lao Tzu

Patience

“Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline simulated fear postulates courage simulated weakness postulates strength.”

— 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

“Great acts are made up of small deeds.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

“Nature is not human hearted.”

— Lao Tzu

Nature

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

— Lao Tzu

Death

“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

“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

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

— Lao Tzu

Respect

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

— Lao Tzu

Communication

“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

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

— Lao Tzu

Health

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

— Lao Tzu

Love

“All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

“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

“Silence is a source of great strength.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

“Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.”

— Lao Tzu

Power

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

— Lao Tzu

Change

“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

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

— Lao Tzu

Music