Inspirational Quotes
Words to motivate, inspire, and guide you.
Lao Tzu Quotes
StructureCourageResilienceStrategy Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
HungerGovernmentTaxationInjustice The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.
LawTaoOrderBeing Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.
SimplicitySelflessnessContentment Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
MysticismOriginExistenceNameEternal The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the Named is the mother of all things.
GrowthConsciousnessAwarenessSelf-DevelopmentSpirituality The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.
LeadershipEmpowermentAchievement When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'
GoodnessHumilitySelflessnessRewards The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in honours.
ChangeLetting GoFearlessnessAchievement 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.
GenerosityWisdomSelflessnessGivingAbundance The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.
StillnessClarityInnerPeaceCompassion One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.
ExcellenceBeautyJusticeUnityPerseverance 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.
StrengthPersistenceOvercoming Obstacles In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
KindnessConfidenceProfoundnessLove Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
GovernanceSimplicityRestraint Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.
LeadershipEmpowermentHumility 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.
ScholarComfortVirtueChallengeInaction A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
ModerationBalanceSelf-ControlWisdom Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
Self-AwarenessHubrisWisdomHumilityGrowth To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.
IndependenceSelf-relianceIndividualism I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any.
Love Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.
SimplicityPatienceCompassion I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
AcceptanceChangeFlowTrustSurrender 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.
AdaptabilityStrengthResiliencePersistence Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.
GenerositySelflessnessBenevolenceHarmonyWisdom The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.
GivingReciprocityIntelligence If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
Well-beingContentmentConfidenceInner Peace Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.
Self-AcceptanceSelf-ReflectionRespectInner PeaceConfidence When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Existence There was something undifferentiated and yet complete, which existed before Heaven and Earth. Soundless and formless, it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger. It may be considered the mother of the universe. I do not know its name; I call it Tao.
IntuitionProtectionWisdomPower The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.
ViolenceIntentionReboundSelf-Reflection Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.