34 Enlightening Lao Tzu Quotes to Live by

Looking for the best Lao Tzu quotes on life?

Lao Tzu (Born 601 BC) was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, the founder of philosophical Taoism, and a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions. Here are some of the best Lao Tzu quotes to inspire greatness in you.

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Lao Tzu Quotes on Life, Success, and Leadership

1. “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

2. “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” – Lao Tzu

3. “I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” – Lao Tzu

4. “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

5. “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu

6. “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu

7. “To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” – Lao Tzu

8. “Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.” – Lao Tzu

9. “He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.” – Lao Tzu

10. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu

11. “Silence is a source of great strength.” – Lao Tzu

12. “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu

13. “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu

14. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

15. “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

16. “Great acts are made up of small deeds.” – Lao Tzu

17. “The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.” – Lao Tzu

Related: Top 50 Buddha Quotes to Enlighten Your Mind

18. “Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” – Lao Tzu

19. “From caring comes courage.” – Lao Tzu

20. “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.” – Lao Tzu

21. “An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.” – Lao Tzu

22. “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.” – Lao Tzu

23. “Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.” – Lao Tzu

24. “Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge.” – Lao Tzu

25. “When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” – Lao Tzu

26. “The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.” – Lao Tzu

27. “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” – Lao Tzu

28. “Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.” – Lao Tzu

29. “He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.” – Lao Tzu

30. “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

31. “Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu

32. “A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.” – Lao Tzu

33. “Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.” – Lao Tzu

34. “The way to do is to be.” – Lao Tzu

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SEE ALSO: 35 Powerful Rumi Quotes to Inspire You