Lao Tzu, the legendary founder of Taoism, is renowned for his profound and insightful quotes that guide us towards a path of wisdom, self-acceptance, and inner peace.
Here are some of the most inspiring quotes from his works, particularly the Tao Te Ching.
30 Lao Tzu Quotes on Wisdom, Self-Acceptance, and Inner Peace
“An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.” – Lao Tzu
“Be the chief, but never the lord.” – Lao Tzu
“Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish.” – Lao Tzu
“The True Person benefits yet expects no reward, does the work and moves on. There is no desire to be considered better than others.” – Lao Tzu
“There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more.” – Lao Tzu
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” – Lao Tzu
“Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.” – Lao Tzu
“Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.” – Lao Tzu
“Good traveling does not leave tracks. Good speech does not seek faults. Good reckoning does not use counters…. Good closure needs no bar and yet cannot be opened. Good knot needs no rope and yet cannot be untied.” – Lao Tzu
“Those who know contentment are wealthy.” – Lao Tzu
“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
“One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.” – Lao Tzu
“People in their handling 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
“The True Person governs by emptying the heart of desire and filling the belly with food, weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.” – Lao Tzu
“The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.” – Lao Tzu
“He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted.” – Lao Tzu
“Treat those that are good with goodness and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those that are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest . Thus honesty is attained.” – Lao Tzu
“Act without contrivance and nothing will be beyond control.” – Lao Tzu
“The reason Heaven and Earth are everlasting is because they do not exist for themselves” – Lao Tzu
“When achievement is completed, fame is attained, withdraw oneself” – Lao Tzu
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu
“Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” – Lao Tzu
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” – Lao Tzu
“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
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu
“Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.” – Lao Tzu
“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” – Lao Tzu
“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” – Lao Tzu
“The best fighter is never angry.” – Lao Tzu
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu
“Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires.” – Lao Tzu
“Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.” – Lao Tzu
“To attain knowledge, add things everyday. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.” – Lao Tzu
Reflections of the Top 5 Lao Tzu Quotes
1. “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-mastery. It suggests that true power and wisdom come from understanding and controlling oneself rather than trying to control others.
2. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
This quote highlights the natural flow of life and the efficiency of non-forced action. It encourages patience and aligning oneself with the natural order of things.
3. “When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.”
This quote underscores the value of self-acceptance and non-competition. By being content with who you are, you gain respect from others and avoid the pitfalls of comparison.
4. “The best fighter is never angry.”
This quote points to the calm and composed nature of true strength. It suggests that anger is a sign of weakness, and the best approach is to act with clarity and calmness.
5. “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
This quote advocates for contentment and acceptance of the present moment. It reminds us that true fulfillment comes from appreciating what we have rather than desiring more.
Related Figures
- Buddha: Founder of Buddhism, known for teachings on enlightenment and inner peace.
- Confucius: Chinese philosopher who emphasized moral values, personal and governmental morality.
- Epicurus: Greek philosopher who advocated for living modestly and seeking happiness through the absence of physical pain and mental distress.
- Marcus Aurelius: Roman emperor and philosopher known for his Stoic meditations.
- Rumi: Persian poet and Sufi mystic who wrote extensively on love, spirituality, and self-discovery.
- Tao Qian: Chinese poet and philosopher who contributed to the development of Taoist thought.
- Zhuangzi: Chinese philosopher who expanded on Lao Tzu’s teachings and emphasized the importance of living in harmony with nature.
- Seneca: Roman Stoic philosopher who wrote about morality, ethics, and the human condition.
- Henry David Thoreau: American philosopher and writer who advocated for simple living and civil disobedience.
- Mahatma Gandhi: Indian independence activist who promoted non-violent resistance and simple living.
Conclusion
Lao Tzu’s quotes offer profound insights into living a balanced, wise, and peaceful life. Reflecting on these quotes can help you navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and contentment. Take a moment to ponder each quote and see how it can apply to your own journey.
