Laozi (571 BC), also known as Lao Tzu, was a semi-legendary ancient Chinese Taoist philosopher. Laozi is a Chinese honorific, generally translated as “the Old Master”.
Laozi Quotes
The soft and supple will prevail.
—Laozi
If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich.
—Laozi
There was something formless and perfect before the universe was born.
—Laozi
Wise men don’t need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren’t wise.
—Laozi
The whole world is grateful to her.
—Laozi
Yielding is the way of the Tao.
—Laozi
Throw away morality and justice, and people will do the right thing.
—Laozi
What is small is easy to scatter.
—Laozi
When they know that they don’t know, people can find their own way.
—Laozi
Use your own light and return to the source of light.
—Laozi
They take from those who don’t have enough and give to those who have far too much.
—Laozi
When rich speculators prosper While farmers lose their land; when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures;
—Laozi
The Tao is called the Great Mother: empty yet inexhaustible, it gives birth to infinite worlds.
—Laozi
Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life.
—Laozi
The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.
—Laozi
Thus it is said: The path into the light seems dark, the path forward seems to go back, the direct path seems long, true power
—Laozi
The Tao gives birth to all beings, nourishes them, maintains them, cares for them, comforts them, protects them, takes them back
—Laozi
When a foolish man hears of the Tao, he laughs out loud.
—Laozi
Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow.
—Laozi
The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole.
—Laozi
What he desires is non-desire; what he learns is to unlearn.
—Laozi
When the government is too intrusive, people lose their spirit.
—Laozi
When there is no desire, all things are at peace.
—Laozi
The more you use it, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you understand.
—Laozi
Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source.
—Laozi
When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide.
—Laozi
When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists.
—Laozi
Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?
—Laozi
Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice.
—Laozi
When the ancient Masters said, “If you want to be given everything, give everything up,” they weren’t using empty phrases.
—Laozi