Lao Tzu, also known as Laozi and Lao-Tze, was a Chinese writer, philosopher, the founder of philosophical Taoism, and the author of Tao Te Ching. Lao Tzu is also a known deity in traditional Chinese religions and Taoism. May these philosopher Lao Tzu quotes give you insights that will inspire and help you get through your life's journey.
1. “Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu
2. “Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?” – Lao Tzu
3. “Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here.” – Lao Tzu
4. “The further one goes, the less one knows.” – Lao Tzu
5. “Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.” – Lao Tzu
6. “Love is of all the passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the senses.” – Lao Tzu
7. “Stop thinking, and end your problems.” – Lao Tzu
8. “The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.” – Lao Tzu
9. “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
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10. “To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.” – Lao Tzu
11. “Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.” – Lao Tzu
12. “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu
13. “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.” – Lao Tzu
14. “One who is too insistent on his own views finds few to agree with him.” – Lao Tzu
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15. “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.” – Lao Tzu
16. “When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.” – Lao Tzu
17. “Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.” – Lao Tzu
18. “So the unwanting soul sees what's hidden, and the ever-wanting soul sees only what it wants.” – Lao Tzu
19. “To see things in the seed, that is genius.” – Lao Tzu
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20. “What is firmly rooted cannot be pulled out.” – Lao Tzu
21. “Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.” – Lao Tzu
22. “Act without expectation.” – Lao Tzu
23. “There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent.” – Lao Tzu
24. “When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.” – Lao Tzu
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25. “In the end, the treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go.” – Lao Tzu
26. “Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.” – Lao Tzu
27. “If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness.” – Lao Tzu
28. “He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.” – Lao Tzu
29. “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” – Lao Tzu
30. “The difficult problems in life always start off being simple. Great affairs always start off being small.” – Lao Tzu
More Famous Lao Tzu Quotes about Self
31. “The hard and mighty lie beneath the ground while the tender and weak dance on the breeze above.” – Lao Tzu
32. “He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.” – Lao Tzu
33. “Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.” – Lao Tzu
34. “Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity.” – Lao Tzu
35. “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
36. “Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there.” – Lao Tzu
37. “Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends.” – Lao Tzu
38. “Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.” – Lao Tzu
39. “The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms.” – Lao Tzu
40. “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, the teacher will disappear.” – Lao Tzu
41. “He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love.” – Lao Tzu
42. “If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession.” – Lao Tzu
43. “To understand the limitation of things, desire them.” – Lao Tzu
44. “If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.” – Lao Tzu
45. “He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.” – Lao Tzu
46. “Free from desire, you realize the mystery caught in the desire, you see only the manifestations.” – Lao Tzu
47. “Accomplish but do not boast, accomplish without show, accomplish without arrogance, accomplish without grabbing, accomplish without forcing.” – Lao Tzu
48. “The heart that gives, gathers.” – Lao Tzu
49. “Respond to anger with virtue. Deal with difficulties while they are still easy. Handle the great while it is still small.” – Lao Tzu
50. “When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of heaven.” – Lao Tzu
51. “Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.” – Lao Tzu
52. “Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look at the stars. This practice should answer the question.” – Lao Tzu
53. “If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind.” – Lao Tzu
54. “Knowing how to yield is strength.” – Lao Tzu
55. “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
56. “To hold, you must first open your hand.” – Lao Tzu
57. “Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear.” – Lao Tzu
58. “Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found.” – Lao Tzu
59. “Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend.” – Lao Tzu
60. “Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter's place. When you handle the master carpenter's tools, chances are that you'll cut your hand.” – Lao Tzu
61. “Loss is not as bad as wanting more.” – Lao Tzu
62. “Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear?” – Lao Tzu
63. “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tzu
64. “A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day.” – Lao Tzu
65. “Figure out the rhythm of life and live in harmony with it.” – Lao Tzu
66. “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” – Lao Tzu
67. “To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” – Lao Tzu
68. “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
69. “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
70. “The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.” – Lao Tzu
71. “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
72. “Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.” – Lao Tzu
73. “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
74. “The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.” – Lao Tzu
75. “At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” – Lao Tzu
Share these Lao Tzu Quotes on Life, Success, and Love with your friends, family, and loved ones to inspire them as well.
2. “Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?” – Lao Tzu
3. “Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here.” – Lao Tzu
4. “The further one goes, the less one knows.” – Lao Tzu
5. “Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.” – Lao Tzu
6. “Love is of all the passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the senses.” – Lao Tzu
7. “Stop thinking, and end your problems.” – Lao Tzu
8. “The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.” – Lao Tzu
9. “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
11. “Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.” – Lao Tzu
12. “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu
13. “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.” – Lao Tzu
14. “One who is too insistent on his own views finds few to agree with him.” – Lao Tzu
16. “When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.” – Lao Tzu
17. “Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.” – Lao Tzu
18. “So the unwanting soul sees what's hidden, and the ever-wanting soul sees only what it wants.” – Lao Tzu
19. “To see things in the seed, that is genius.” – Lao Tzu
21. “Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.” – Lao Tzu
22. “Act without expectation.” – Lao Tzu
23. “There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent.” – Lao Tzu
24. “When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.” – Lao Tzu
26. “Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.” – Lao Tzu
27. “If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness.” – Lao Tzu
28. “He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.” – Lao Tzu
29. “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” – Lao Tzu
30. “The difficult problems in life always start off being simple. Great affairs always start off being small.” – Lao Tzu
More Famous Lao Tzu Quotes about Self
31. “The hard and mighty lie beneath the ground while the tender and weak dance on the breeze above.” – Lao Tzu
32. “He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.” – Lao Tzu
33. “Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.” – Lao Tzu
34. “Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity.” – Lao Tzu
35. “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
36. “Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there.” – Lao Tzu
37. “Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends.” – Lao Tzu
38. “Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.” – Lao Tzu
39. “The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms.” – Lao Tzu
40. “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, the teacher will disappear.” – Lao Tzu
41. “He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love.” – Lao Tzu
42. “If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession.” – Lao Tzu
43. “To understand the limitation of things, desire them.” – Lao Tzu
44. “If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.” – Lao Tzu
45. “He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.” – Lao Tzu
46. “Free from desire, you realize the mystery caught in the desire, you see only the manifestations.” – Lao Tzu
47. “Accomplish but do not boast, accomplish without show, accomplish without arrogance, accomplish without grabbing, accomplish without forcing.” – Lao Tzu
48. “The heart that gives, gathers.” – Lao Tzu
49. “Respond to anger with virtue. Deal with difficulties while they are still easy. Handle the great while it is still small.” – Lao Tzu
50. “When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of heaven.” – Lao Tzu
51. “Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.” – Lao Tzu
52. “Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look at the stars. This practice should answer the question.” – Lao Tzu
53. “If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind.” – Lao Tzu
54. “Knowing how to yield is strength.” – Lao Tzu
55. “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
56. “To hold, you must first open your hand.” – Lao Tzu
57. “Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear.” – Lao Tzu
58. “Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found.” – Lao Tzu
59. “Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend.” – Lao Tzu
60. “Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter's place. When you handle the master carpenter's tools, chances are that you'll cut your hand.” – Lao Tzu
61. “Loss is not as bad as wanting more.” – Lao Tzu
62. “Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear?” – Lao Tzu
63. “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tzu
64. “A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day.” – Lao Tzu
65. “Figure out the rhythm of life and live in harmony with it.” – Lao Tzu
66. “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” – Lao Tzu
67. “To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” – Lao Tzu
68. “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
69. “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
70. “The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.” – Lao Tzu
71. “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
72. “Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.” – Lao Tzu
73. “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
74. “The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.” – Lao Tzu
75. “At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” – Lao Tzu
Share these Lao Tzu Quotes on Life, Success, and Love with your friends, family, and loved ones to inspire them as well.