Best Lao Tzu Quotes

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.

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

He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

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

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.

Only fools seek power, and the greatest fools seek it through force.

Use justice to rule a country. Use surprise to wage war. Use non-action to govern the world.

When many people are killed, they should be mourned and lamented. Those who are victorious in war should follow the rites of funerals.

When the Way governs the world, the proud stallions drag dung carriages. When the Way is lost to the world, war horses are bred outside the city.

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

When great armies go to war, Sorrow is the sole winner.

The best of all leaders is the one who helps people so that eventually they don't need him.

The ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people.

Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking. Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power. Not that it isn't there, but you'll be able to step out of its way. Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.

The leader is a teacher who succeeds without taking credit. And, because credit is not taken, credit is received.

True words aren't eloquent; eloquent words aren't true. Wise men don't need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren't wise. The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is. The Tao nourishes by not forcing. By not dominating, the Master leads.

A journey of a thousand leagues begins beneath one's feet.