Laozi Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Laozi quotes, Laozi sayings, and Laozi proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her. Laozi
We go from birth to death. Three out of ten follow life. Three out of ten follow death. People who rush from birth to death are also three out of ten. Why is that so? Because they want to make too much of life. Laozi
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Laozi
Countless words count less than the silent balance between yin and yang. Laozi
All things carry yin and embrace yang. They reach harmony by blending with the vital breath. Laozi
Become totally empty. Quiet the restlessness of the mind. Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness. Laozi
Why are the people rebellious? Because the rulers interfere too much. Therefore they are rebellious. Laozi
Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. Laozi
In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity. Laozi
The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be. Laozi
When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head. Laozi
Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear. Laozi
Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. Laozi
If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled. Laozi
It is hidden but always present. Laozi
The Way is hidden and nameless. Still only the Way nourishes and completes. Laozi
Goodness in words creates trust, goodness in thinking creates depth, goodness in giving creates love. Laozi
The Tao is hidden, and has no name; but it is the Tao which is skilful at imparting (to all things what they need) and making them complete. Laozi
Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little. Laozi
Those who die without being forgotten get longevity. Laozi
Being satisfied with little, you can gain much. Seeking much you will go astray. The wise heeds this precept. If it could be so with all people! Laozi
Whoever is capable of knowing when they have had enough will always be satisfied. Laozi
Excellent conquerors do not engage. Laozi
The liberation cannot be reached but by means of the perception of the identity of the individual spirit with the universal spirit. Laozi
To rejoice in conquest is to rejoice in murder. Laozi
The truest sayings are paradoxical. Laozi
Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility. Laozi
Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful. Laozi
Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there. Laozi
A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful. Laozi