Lao Tzu (Old Master) was a philosopher and one of the most influential spiritual sages of ancient China. He is best known as the author of the ancient Chinese text Tao Te Ching and the father of Taoism, although it is disputed he ever lived at all.
He was contemporary with another great Chinese philosopher, Confucius, who admired him very much and compared him to a dragon that rises to the sky, riding on the winds and clouds. Yet Lao Tzu blamed Confucius for his pride, ambition and exploiting traditional beliefs for personal gains.
Lao Tzu’s Life
Little is known about Lao Tzu’s life. According to the legend, about 6th century B.C.E. Lao Tzu was working as an archivist at the emperor court. Tired and saddened by the court decline and the evil of men, he decided to leave human society and pursue a life of contemplation as a hermit in the wilderness. He was traveling West on a buffalo when he came to the border of the empire. But the gatekeeper, which had always been impressed with Lao Tzu’s teachings, refused to let him exit the gate until he had written down the principles of his philosophy.
The result was the eighty-one sayings of the TaoTe Ching, one of the most influential books in the history of humanity and one of the world’s most translated classics next to the Bible. Legend has it that the Lao Tzu climbed down from his buffalo and immediately wrote Tao Te Ching, entrusted it to the gatekeeper and then left the empire never to appear again in the human society.
The Teachings of Lao Tzu
The writings attributed to Lao Tzu comprise the beliefs of Taoism, which is devoted to the state of inner calm, nonaggressive approach to life, stoical indifference, purity of the mind and being in harmony with the universe. Tao Te Ching, undoubtedly one of the most spiritual books ever written, also teaches us how to be good citizens and leaders and achieve self-mastery. In Lao Tzu quotes one can not only find classic manual on the art of living, but also a great food for thought and practical guidance, perfect for those who want to cope with the confusing perplexities of life. The style of this profoundly wise poems is impeccable, readers simply get mesmerized by its lyrical brevity and purity of thought.
Inspirational Lao Tzu Quotes
When Amazon.com asked famous author Michael Crichton what book he would take with him on a desert island, his answer was – Tao Te Ching. During his life, Lao Tzu inspired many people, but today his teachings are more popular than ever. That is why we gathered this collection of 30 Inspirational Lao Tzu Quotes that will show you that his words know no time or boundaries and are as much as alive and true today as they were many centuries ago.
30 Lao Tzu Quotes to Live By
– 1 –
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. Lao Tzu
– 2 –
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. Lao Tzu
– 3 –
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. Lao Tzu
– 4 –
Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained. Lao Tzu
– 5 –
In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. Lao Tzu
– 6 –
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment. Lao Tzu
– 7 –
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. Lao Tzu
– 8 –
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.Lao Tzu
9. At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want. Lao Tzu
– 10 –
By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning. Lao Tzu
– 11 –
To lead people walk behind them. Lao Tzu
– 12 –
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. Lao Tzu
– 13 –
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Lao Tzu
– 14 –
Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides. Lao Tzu
– 15 –
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. Lao Tzu
– 16 –
The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own. Lao Tzu
– 17 –
The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete. Lao Tzu
18. To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. Lao Tzu
– 19 –
He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty. Lao Tzu
– 20 –
For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions. Lao Tzu
– 21 –
People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure. Lao Tzu
– 22 –
An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox. Lao Tzu
– 23 –
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.’ Lao Tzu
– 24 –
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. Lao Tzu
– 25 –
One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others. Lao Tzu
26. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. Lao Tzu
– 27 –
He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still. Lao Tzu
– 28 –
Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. Lao Tzu
– 29 –
Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. Lao Tzu
– 30 –
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu
