Tao Te Ching Quotes
Lao Tsu (or Lao Tse, the Dao De Ching)
- The more
you know the less you understand.
-
We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
-
Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires. - The highest good is
like water.
Water
gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It
flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In
dwelling, be close to the land.
In
meditation, go deep in the heart.
In
dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In
speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In
business, be competent.
In action, watch
the timing. -
Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth,
block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften
your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. Be like the
Tao. It can't be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed,
honored or brought into disgrace. It gives itself up continually. That
is why it endures. (Chapter 56)
- Know the strength of man,
But keep a woman's care!
Be the stream of the universe!
Being the stream of the universe,
Ever true and unswerving,
Become as a little child once more.
Know honour,
Yet keep humility.
Be the valley of the universe!
Being the valley of the universe,
Ever true and resourceful,
Return to the state of the uncarved block.