Lao Tzu Quotes

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Lao Tzu is called Laozi (Lao Zi) by most of the Chinese people. He established Taoism in 600BC and has been considered one of the greatest thinkers and philosophers in the world. His thoughts have been a huge impact in China and other countries.

After being begged by a military officer, who guarded the western pass which Lao Tzu intended to pass, to write down his wisdom, Lao Tzu stayed for a couple of days at the pass and left a book with only 6000 characters named Dao De Jing. Then he walked out of the sight of China and the world and walked into a mystery on the back of a water buffalo. See the art work below.

He was canonized as the founder of Tao religion and one of its three deities. You can find out more about the roles Lao Tzu and Taoism played in Chinese religion here.

And here are the quotes by Lao Tzu.

Lao Tzu Quotes

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment; Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength.
To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.
Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.
He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.
He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.
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.
Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.
He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.
Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.
At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.
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.
Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.