Laozi

When people do not dread authorities then a greater dread descends.

Excellent conquerors do not engage.

Knowledge of the eternal is all-embracing. To be all-embracing leads to righteousness, which is majestic.

The more you know the less you understand.

The Way is hidden and nameless. Still only the Way nourishes and completes.

The noble must make humility his root.

Become totally empty. Quiet the restlessness of the mind. Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness.

It is hidden but always present.

Because one believes in oneself one doesnt try to convince. Because one is content with oneself one doesnt need others approval. Because one accepts oneself the whole world accepts him or her.

The sage has no concern for himself but makes the concerns of others his own.

To rejoice in conquest is to rejoice in murder.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, 'We did this ourselves.'

Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little.

The subtlest of subtleties, this is the gateway to all mysteries.

Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful.

Good leaders reach solutions and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force.

When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance.

If you look to others for fulfillment you will never be truly fulfilled.

Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.

Those who show off do not shine.

A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be.

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

The more clever and cunning people are, the stranger the events will be.

When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.

He (the Sage) does not show off, therefore he shines.

In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.

Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear.

Whoever is capable of knowing when they have had enough will always be satisfied.

Those who die without being forgotten get longevity.

The liberation cannot be reached but by means of the perception of the identity of the individual spirit with the universal spirit.

Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.

Use your own light and return to the source of light. This is called practicing eternity.

Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there.

To manage your mind, know that there is nothing, and then relinquish all attachment to nothingness.

Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. Thus, taking advantage of what is, we recognize the utility of what is not.

A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

We go from birth to death. Three out of ten follow life. Three out of ten follow death. People who rush from birth to death are also three out of ten. Why is that so? Because they want to make too much of life.

Being satisfied with little, you can gain much. Seeking much you will go astray. The wise heeds this precept. If it could be so with all people!

Nurture the spontaneous peaceful life.

For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions.

Pounding an edge to sharpness will not make it last.

Stop leaving and you will arrive Stop searching and you will see Stop running away and you will be found.

Conclusions are ignorance arrested on the path to less ignorance.

Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe.

The fish cannot leave the deep waters. The state's weaponry should not be displayed.

When family ties are disturbed devoted children arise.

All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.

Goodness in words creates trust goodness in thinking creates depth goodness in giving creates love.

The Tao is hidden and has no name but it is the Tao which is skilful at imparting to all things what they need and making them complete.

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.

Attain utmost emptiness. Abide in steadfast stillness.

Why are the people rebellious? Because the rulers interfere too much. Therefore they are rebellious.

Countless words count less than the silent balance between yin and yang.

A good wanderer leaves no trace.

Good walking leaves no track behind it.

The truest sayings are paradoxical.

Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.

Sometimes gain comes from losing, and sometimes loss comes from gaining.

The good leader carries water for his people.

All things carry yin and embrace yang. They reach harmony by blending with the vital breath.