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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.

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

— Lao Tzu

Love

All Quotes by Lao Tzu

“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 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

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

— Lao Tzu

Knowledge

“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

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

— Lao Tzu

Love

“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

“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

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

— Lao Tzu

Peace

“The words of truth are always paradoxical.”

— 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

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

— Lao Tzu

Death

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

— Lao Tzu

Men

“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

“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

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

— Lao Tzu

Power

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

— Lao Tzu

Great

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

— Lao Tzu

Wisdom

“Silence is a source of great strength.”

— Lao Tzu

Great

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

— Lao Tzu

Great

“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