62 Inspiring Lao Tzu (Laozi) Quotes

Lao Tzu (Laozi) was an ancient Chinese philosopher. His teachings and quotes will help you inspire, motivate and grow. Lao Tzu quotes on leadership, life and his philosophy will pierce your heart.

Inspiring Lao Tzu Quotes

62 Inspiring Lao Tzu Quotes

1. "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."

2. "When I let go of what I am, I became what I might be." - Lao Tzu quotes

3. "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."

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

5. "Life is 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."

6. "Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner."

7. "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

8. "I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures."

9. "He who talks more is sooner exhausted." - Lao Tzu quotes

10. "Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt."

11. "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."

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

13. "Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides."

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

15. "To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders." - Lao Tzu quotes

16. "Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it."

17. "Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of thousand miles must begin with a single step."

18. "The best fighter is never angry."

19. "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."

20. "Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself."

21. "Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy."

22. "Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself."

23. "The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness."

24. "Make your heart like a lake with a calm still surface and great depths of kindness."

25. "Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment." - Lao Tzu quotes

26. "Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, heart and the senses."

27. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

28. "He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted."

29. "Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time' is like saying, 'I don't want to."

30. "The further one goes, the less one knows." - Lao Tzu quotes

31. "Watch your thoughts, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits, Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."

32. "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

33. "A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."

34. "He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough."

35. "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."

36. "Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear."

37. "Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it."

38. "Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain un-moving till the right action arises by itself?"

39. "Some lose yet gain, others gain and yet lose." - Lao Tzu quotes

40. "At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want."

41. "New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings."

42. "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."

43. "He who tries to shine, dims his own light."

44. "The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be."

45. "The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own." 

46. "If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence."

47. "Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good."

48. "Health is the greatest possession." - Lao Tzu quotes

49. "An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox."

50. "There is no greater offence then harboring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more."

51. "Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."

52. "Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge."

53. "What is well rooted cannot be pulled up. What is firmly grasped will not slip loose. It will be honored from generation to generation."

54. "When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder."

55. "All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it, its power."

56. "A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar."

57. "Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself."

58. "To lead people walk behind them."

59. "Stop thinking and end your problems." - Lao Tzu quotes

60. "Use the light that is within you to revert to your natural clearness of sight."

61. "A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live."

62. "If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place."

After reading the above "Inspiring Lao Tzu quotes" you will get motivated and inspired. Do not shy to share it with your friends.