Quotes by Lao Tzu

When people see some things as beautiful,other things become ugly.When people see some things as good,other things become bad.

There isa time to liveand a time to diebut never to reject the moment.

Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.

There is no illusion greater than fear.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.

He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.

If you understand others you are smart.If you understand yourself you are illuminated.If you overcome others you are powerful.If you overcome yourself you have strength.If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.If you can act with vigor, you have a will.If you dont lose your objectives you can be long-lasting.If you die without loss, you are eternal.

The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.

Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.

As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it.

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil.

He who is in harmony with the Taois like a newborn child.Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak,but its grip is powerful.It doesnt know about the unionof male and female,yet its penis can stand erect,so intense is its vital power.It can scream its head off all day,yet it never becomes hoarse,so complete is its harmony.The Masters power is like this.He lets all things come and goeffortlessly, without desire.He never expects results;thus he is never disappointed.He is never disappointed;thus his spirit never grows old.

Existence is beyond the power of wordsTo define:Terms may be usedBut are none of them absolute.In the beginning of heaven and earth there were no words,Words came out of the womb of matter;And whether a man dispassionatelySees to the core of lifeOr passionatelySees the surface,The core and the surfaceAre essentially the same,Words making them seem differentOnly to express appearance.If name be needed, wonder names them both:From wonder into wonderExistence opens.

(So), he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; he who is self-conceited has no superiority allowed to him.

The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.

Klar sieht, wer von ferne sieht, nebelhaft, wer Anteil nimmt.

If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.

Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle ofsoftness overcoming hardness.