Lao Tzu quotes and sayings about life, love, leadership, and other topics. I hope you will find them insightful and inspiring.
Lao Tzu (also called Laozi) was an ancient Chinese philosopher who lived in the 6th century BC. According to the legend, Lao Tzu was the keeper of the archives at the imperial court, where, he studied the archive books and gained a great deal of knowledge.
During his life, Lao Tzu became known for his wisdom, and it is said that even the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius heard about him and came to visit him.
It is said that Lao Tzu is the founder of Taoism, the Chinese spiritual tradition. Tao-te-Ching, the central Taoist text, is ascribed to Lao-tzu, which he wrote as a guide for rulers and where he established the philosophical basis of Taoism.
We have collected inspirational and wise quotes from Lao Tzu. Read them, embrace their wisdom, and use their practical knowledge in your life.
Famous quote by Lao Tzu:
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
Lao Tzu leadership quote:
“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.”
Inspirational Lao Tzu Quotes and Sayings
A selection of Wise Lao Tzu quotes.
“Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.”
“An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.”
“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small.”
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.”
“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
“At the center of your being, you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.”
“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
“To know that you do not know is the best. To pretend to know when you do not know is a disease.”
“He who knows others is wise; He who knows himself is enlightened.”
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.”
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.”
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
“Kindness in giving creates love.”
“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.”
“Do not look only at yourself, and you will see much. Do not justify yourself, and you will be distinguished.”
“Great acts are made up of small deeds.”
Lao Tzu Quotes on Life
Quotes by Lao Tzu with advice about life.
“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.”
“In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.
“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.”
“In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control.”
“Act without striving. Work without interfering. Find the flavor in what is flavorless.”
“The truly great man dwells on what is real and not what is on the surface.”
“In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.”
You might like reading: You Cannot Always Change Situations, but You Can Change Your Attitude.
Some of the Best Lao Tzu Quotes on Love
“Love is a decision. Not an emotion.”
“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.”
“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”
“Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven.”
“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.”
Inspirational Lao Tzu Quotes
“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.”
“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.”
“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.”
“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”
“If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.”
“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.”
“He who is contented is rich.”
Insightful Lao Tzu Quotes and Proverbs
“Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.”
“Stop thinking and end your problems.”
“Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.”
“Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know.”
“One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.”
“To lead people walk behind them.”
“The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.'”
“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.”
“To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.”
“The best fighter is never angry.”
“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 Leadership Quotes
A selection of Lao Tzu quotes on leadership and the behavior of a leader.
“Who acts in stillness finds stillness in his life.”
“Silence is a source of great strength.”
“Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.”
“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.”
“Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.”
“Silence is a source of great strength.”
“Those who are good at managing people lower themselves.”
“Be the chief, but never the lord.””
Lao Tzu Taoist Quotes
“The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.”
“If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.”
“To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”
“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.”
“Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.”
“One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.”
The Wisdom of Lao Tzu Quotes
A famous saying of Lao Tzu is:
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
The profound wisdom encapsulated in Lao Tzu’s quotes continues to resonate through the ages, serving as timeless guides for leading a harmonious and fulfilling life.
His teachings, rooted in the philosophy of Taoism, transcend cultural and temporal boundaries, offering invaluable insights into the nature of existence and the art of living.
Lao Tzu’s emphasis on simplicity, humility, and embracing the natural flow of the universe holds particular relevance in our fast-paced and complex modern world. By internalizing his teachings, we can cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us, fostering a sense of tranquility and purpose.
The benefits of embracing Lao Tzu’s quotes are multifaceted. They encourage us to let go of ego-driven desires, practice patience, and develop a sense of inner balance.
Through the guidance of his words, people can navigate challenges with a calmer perspective, finding strength in flexibility rather than rigidity.
Moreover, Lao Tzu’s emphasis on compassion, kindness, and mindfulness promotes healthier relationships and a more harmonious society.
By integrating his teachings into our daily life, we can experience a heightened sense of self-awareness, increased resilience, and a profound appreciation for the beauty of existence.
Lao Tzu quotes remain an enduring source of enlightenment, inspiring generations to embark on a journey of self-discovery and lead lives infused with authenticity and serenity.
What is the most famous of Lao Tzu quotes?
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
Quotes Directory >> Lao Tzu Quotes
About the Author
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