The words of wisdom from Lao Tzu are some of the most intelligent words ever written or spoken, and because of that, we have published the top 60 Lao Tzu quotes to help keep you motivated through the rest of your day!
Ancient Chinese writer and philosopher Lao Tzu, the “Old Master,” was known for his deep thoughts and sense of humor and his words are still relevant today.
Lao Tzu is the author of the Tao Te Ching, and he is considered one of the most influential founding fathers of philosophical Taoism.
Some historians’ texts refer to him as Lao-Tze, Lao-Tsu, or Laozi, and it’s believed that he lived somewhere around the 4th and 6th centuries B.C.
What does Lao Tzu say about leadership?
What was Lao Tzu’s philosophy?
Lao Tzu’s philosophy is quite complex, but at its core is the belief that people should live in harmony with nature. That stems from the Taoist belief that everything in the universe is connected and interdependent.
So humans must work together with nature rather than against it.
☑ Lao Tzu’s philosophy was all about balance.
He also believed that skilled administrators should manage government affairs and strive to provide efficient services without interfering too much in people’s lives. Lao Tzu’s ideas have greatly influenced Chinese thought and culture.
Lao Tzu’s timeless words of wisdom have been passed down through generations and will continue to touch people’s hearts as long we live on this earth!
What does Lao Tzu say about nature?
We live in uncertain times, and most people feel anxious and worried.
The modern lifestyle is fast-paced and busy, and sometimes it may seem that life throws us so many curveballs that make us feel justified to be angry and fight back.
▣ I think we all know where that type of emotion leads!
Fortunately for us, Lao Tzu’s words are as relevant now, if not more so, than when he first wrote them. He reminds us that we can all do better to slow down and take a few minutes out of our day to reflect, relax and find happiness within ourselves.
The Best Lao Tzu Quotes
"Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to."
List of other famous quotes by Lao Tzu.
- When you accept yourself, the whole world accepts you.
- The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. Through this I know the advantage of taking no action.
- Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.
- The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
- The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.
- If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
- Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere.
- Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe.
- Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
- When the best leader’s work is done the people say, We did it ourselves.
Motivational Quote by Lao Tzu
Famous Lao Tzu Quotes – Table of Content
11
Lao Tzu Quotes About Love
The best thing about pure love is how it makes people feel.
True love is like the most beautiful butterfly we have ever seen on a lovely morning. Love makes people happy and relaxed, and we feel its presence with every beating of our hearts.
Pure love will bring about a sense of happiness; nothing can compare!
Yet, to so many souls, love is elusive.
If you’ve found love, don’t let it slip away. Instead, be sure to hold on tight to it because it’s one of the most beautiful things in life.
If you’re looking for love, don’t lose hope.
Don’t lose hope, though! Someone is waiting for you.
I know it’s hard to believe, but people who get rid of their fantasies and come back to live on planet earth will most likely fall in love. But, of course, that’s just my opinion.
12
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
13
Love is of all the passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the senses.
14
Go to the people. Live with them, learn from them, love them.
15
He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love.
16
We are the architect of our own life.
Therefore, the thoughts we think are the most powerful.
If we can’t change how we feel, maybe it’s time to change what thoughts come into our minds every day and then decide where we go from there.
A person’s self-awareness is the key to growth.
We can’t know who we are until we go through our personal experiences in different situations. That is why experience and self-knowledge go hand in hand because every person has unique stories and life lessons.
Our deep thoughts help us know what kind of person we are and help us change or improve our lives or the world around us.
Inspirational Quote by Lao Tzu
17
At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.
18
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
19
The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.
20
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.
21
Lao Tzu Quotes About Life
The incredible thing about our mind is that of creating and imagining. We, the human race, are capable of doing anything! It’s just a matter of time, effort, and ingenuity.
What better way to live an exciting life than by learning something new?
Not only will it help us get what we want, but it also makes us more fun and memorable. Moreover, most people will enjoy talking to us because people like and gravitate towards inspiring people who share their passions and interests!
Life is short; fortunately, we are all blessed with a unique mind, so why not put it to work? Instead of living in the monotony of everyday life, try to enjoy every moment and live each day as if it could be your last!
22
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
23
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.
24
Life is a 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.
25
Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.
26
Where have all the good leaders gone?
Good leaders are hard to find. They’re modest, humble, and make good decisions for the people. (Hello there, is there any politician reading this?)
In my own opinion, I think most politicians are more interested in helping themselves than the people they represent.
They spend so much time raising money for their campaigns and building connections with special interest groups that they don’t have any time left to make real progress on issues that will bring real change to their constituents.
Perhaps little self-reflection and reading a few of Lao Tzu’s leadership quotes may help all the aspiring leaders out there!
Motivational Quote by Lao Tzu
27
The best of all leaders is the one who helps people so that eventually they don’t need him.
28
The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, We did it ourselves.
29
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.
30
To lead people, walk behind them.
31
Eleanor Roosevelt Motivational Quotes
Be grateful for what you have and keep pushing to accomplish your dreams.
We should try to be happy with what we have even at the same time as we go after something else. Otherwise, our life will always be full of misery and regrets, and it’s not a healthy way to live.
Anytime is a good time to be happy.
It’s so easy to forget and not appreciate the little things.
Generally speaking, we should enjoy and celebrate life in its present form because it will never come back once it has passed by us in all its glory!
32
There is no disaster greater than not being content; there is no misfortune greater than being covetous.
33
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.
34
Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend.
35
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
36
A wise person once said “that the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now!” I agree; if you want to be successful, think about how small things can make a big difference.
That tree planted twenty years ago was small and insignificant; fast forward to the present time, and it’s now blossomed into a tall giant tree worth more.
The best way to succeed is by starting small.
Sometimes, through perseverance, those small, consistent steps produce results, no matter how small or big that will keep us motivated and get us closer to our goals and lifetime dreams.
Inspirational Quote by Lao Tzu
37
Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
38
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.
39
A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
40
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.
41
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.
42
Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?
43
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.
44
Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.
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
Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires.
47
Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.
48
The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.
49
To attain knowledge, add things everyday. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.
50
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.
We’re constantly growing; that’s just the way life is.
There are many stages of growth we go through in our lifetimes, and it helps to have a little guidance along the way. Sometimes, we need a trusted mentor to offer advice on achieving a specific task or goal.
Sooner or later, we outgrow our talents and skills.
To be better prepared for the future, we have a responsibility to continue learning to improve our skills and talents and adapt to change.
At the same time, we must be willing to mentor new and younger talent coming up behind us to make our communities more vibrant!
51
Because of a great love, one is courageous.
52
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
53
When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready… The teacher will Disappear.
54
If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold.
55
Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.
56
Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.
57
Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval.
58
If I had just a little bit of wisdom I should walk the great path and fear only straying from it.
59
The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.
60
Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven.
Famous Lao Tzu Quotes And Saying
That completes our list of 60 Lao Tzu quotes that we hope will help cheer you up!
There is much wisdom to learn from these quotes; for me, the golden nugget I picked from reading these motivational quotes by Lao Tzu is that sometimes, the best thing to do is say nothing.
You know, I think it’s best not to talk too much.
People appreciate honesty, and silence is the best way to do that.
In this chaotic world, when everyone around us seems so opinionated, it’s better to listen to what others say and be quiet more often. Try listening more than talking– that way, people will also respect what you have to say!