Ancient Eastern Philosophers

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.

—Laozi

When goodness is lost, there is morality.

—Laozi

The Tao is nowhere to be found.

—Laozi

Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.

—Sun Tzu

True words seem paradoxical.

—Laozi

This is called practicing eternity.

—Laozi

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.

—Sun Tzu

When taxes are too high, people go hungry.

—Laozi

The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid.

—Laozi

The Master observes the world but trusts his inner vision.

—Laozi

First realize that you are sick; then you can move toward health.

—Laozi

The more powerful it grows, the greater the need for humility.

—Laozi

When her work is done, she forgets it.

—Laozi

The Tao is dark and unfathomable. How can it make her radiant? Because she lets it.

—Laozi

The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to.

—Laozi

Returning to the source is serenity.

—Laozi

We work with being, but non-being is what we use.

—Laozi

The Tao is like a well: used but never used up.

—Laozi

There may be an arsenal of weapons, but nobody ever uses them.

—Laozi

If you do not control the enemy, the enemy will control you.

—Miyamoto Musashi

Seeing into darkness is clarity.

—Laozi

When you look for it, there is nothing to see.

—Laozi

When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused, kindhearted as a grandmother,

—Laozi

The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.

—Laozi

When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority.

—Laozi

This source is called darkness.

—Laozi

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.

—Laozi

Therefore the Master fulfills her own obligations and corrects her own mistakes.

—Laozi

Get beyond love and grief: exist for the good of Man.

—Miyamoto Musashi

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

—Laozi