No disaster is worse than being discontented.
LAOZINo disaster is worse than being discontented.
LAOZIThe light of the Way seems dim.
LAOZIWhen the highest type of people hear Tao (Truth), they diligently practice it. When the average type of people hear Tao, they half believe in it. When the lowest type of people hear Tao, they laugh at it. If they did not laugh, it would not be Tao.
LAOZIHe who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.
LAOZIEmpty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still. The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return. They grow and flourish and then return to the source. Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.
LAOZIHe who loves does not dispute: He who disputes does not love.
LAOZIKnowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
LAOZIQuarrel with a friend – and you are both wrong.
LAOZI. . . the mind is desperate to fix the river {of events} in place: Possessed by ideas of the past, preoccupied with images of the future, it overlooks the plain truth of the moment.
LAOZIThere was something that finished chaos, born before Heaven and Earth.
LAOZIThe more weapons of violence, the more misery to mankind. The triumph of violence ends in a festival of mourning.
LAOZIEmpty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.
LAOZINature is not human hearted.
LAOZIFace the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big.
LAOZIThe world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.
LAOZIWhy is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them… If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility. If he would lead them, he must follow behind. In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed.
LAOZI