Lao Tzu Quotes

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism579 BC–500 BC 14 quotes

Lao Tzu, also written Laozi and identified as Li Er or Lao Dan, is the name traditionally given to the ancient Chinese philosopher regarded as the author or originating teacher of the Tao Te Ching, one of the foundational texts of Taoism. He is generally regarded as a founder of Taoism and a central figure in Chinese culture.

Traditional accounts place him in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period, describe him as a keeper of archival records at the Zhou court, and remember him as an elder contemporary of Confucius. Modern scholars remain divided over his identity and dates: some see him as largely legendary, while others consider a historical Lao Dan plausible. The Tao Te Ching is his most quoted work in our library.
Most quoted works
  • Tao Te Ching 25
  • Hua Hu Ching: The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu 4
6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it.

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

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

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

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

— Tao Teh Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

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

— Te Tao Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

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

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

(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.

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

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

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

A leader is best / When people barely know he exists / Of a good leader, who talks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, They will say, “We did this ourselves.

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

If you want to govern the people, You must place yourself below them. If you want to lead people, You must learn how to follow them.

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

Failure is an opportunity. If you blame someone else, there is no end to the blame. Therefore the Masterfulfills her own obligationsand corrects her own mistakes. She does what she needs to doand demands nothing of others.

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Have the patience to wait! Be still and allow the mud to settle.

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

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

— Tao Te Ching

6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

...the mind is just as immeasurable as the vast universe. An integral being settles his mind just as the vast universe settles itself. He unites his mind with the unnameable Subtle Origin of the multi-universe in which there is no past, present or future. This is how an integral being deals with his mind.

— Hua Hu Ching: The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu