Tao Quotes - Tao Te Ching Quotes - The Way

From the Tao Te Ching

By 'doing nothing', one could accomplish everything:

The Tao abides in non-action,
Yet nothing is left undone.
If kings and lords observed this,
The ten thousand things would develop naturally.
If they still desired to act,
They would return to the simplicity of formless substance.
Without form there is no desire.
Without desire there is tranquillity.
In this way all things would be at peace.
Lao Tzu

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.
Lao Tzu



Even a nine-storied terrace began with a single basket of dirt.Even a 1,000 li (~km, mile) journey began as a single step. 

Lao Tzu

When people see beauty, they think, "that's beautiful".Thinking of something as beautiful makes you think other things are ugly.Calling something "good" forces you to call some other things "evil." 

Lao Tzu

If you stand on tiptoe, you'll be unsteady.If you run with long strides you can't keep it up.If you show off, no one will be impressed.
Lao Tzu

No disaster is worse than being discontented.No omen (for your future) worse than being greedy.
Lao Tzu

A good person is a bad person's teacher.A bad person is a good person's work.
It is a grave mistake to disrespect your teacher.It is a grave mistake not to love your work.
This is an important insight.
Lao Tzu

Deal with difficult tasks while they are easy. Act on large issues while they are small.

Lao Tzu