In search of timeless wisdom from one of the greats? Allow these Lao Tzu quotes to open and expand your mind to new possibilities.
Lao Tzu was a Chinese philosopher who lived over 2,500 years ago. He is best known for his work The Tao Te Ching which contains eighty-one poems describing the way of life and how to live one’s life in harmony with nature.
Lao Tzu believed that by understanding yourself you can understand your relationship with others. Happiness can’t be found in material things or physical activities, but rather within ourselves.
In this post, we’ll be sharing some inspirational quotes by Lao Tzu so you can learn how to lead yourself to your own personal success without neglecting the rest of your well-being.
Most Inspiring Quotes by Lao Tzu
“Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” – Lao Tzu
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu
“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.” – Lao Tzu
“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.” – Lao Tzu
“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.” – Lao Tzu
“Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found.” – Lao Tzu
“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” – Lao Tzu
“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.” – Lao Tzu
“The best fighter is never angry.” – Lao Tzu
“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu
“I have three treasures that I hold dear. The first is love, the second is moderation, the third is humility.” – Lao Tzu
“Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here.” – Lao Tzu
“The greatest give you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.” – Lao Tzu
“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.” – Lao Tzu
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“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.” – Lao Tzu
“To lead people, walk behind them.” – Lao Tzu
“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu
“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.” – Lao Tzu
“From caring comes courage.” – Lao Tzu
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply give you courage.” – Lao Tzu
“Silence is a source of great strength.” – Lao Tzu
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu
“Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Futherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.” – Lao Tzu
“Governing a nation is like cooking a small fish – too much handling will spoil it.” – Lao Tzu
“Great acts are made up of small deeds.” – Lao Tzu
If you’re enjoying these quotes by Lao Tzu, be sure to also check out our affirmations for happiness post to learn how to live happy and free.
“If you would take, you must first give. This is the beginning of intelligence.” – Lao Tzu
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“Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge.” – Lao Tzu
“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.” – Lao Tzu
“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.” – Lao Tzu
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.” – Lao Tzu
“One cannot reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.” – Lao Tzu
“The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.” – Lao Tzu
“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” – Lao Tzu
“The words of truth are always paradoxical.” – Lao Tzu
Which quotes by Lao Tzu were your favorite?
Lao Tzu’s wisdom is as powerful now, thousands of years later, as it was in his time. These quotes are a reminder to be kind and not focus on the things that don’t matter.
Take some time to reflect on these words of wisdom from Lao Tzu. We hope that you were inspired today. Let us know what some of your favorite quotes were in the comments below.
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