Lao Tzu

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.

He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.

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.

The words of truth are always paradoxical.

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.

When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

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.

One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.

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.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Nature is not human hearted.

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.

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.

Be the chief but never the lord.

Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.

Silence is a source of great strength.

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.'

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

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.

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

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.

Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.

To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.