Quotes by Taoism Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature. Laozi taoismhonordoe People are difficult to rule, because of their knowledge. Laozi taoismpeopleknowledge Those who know are not learned. Those who are learned do not know. Laozi taoismknowsknowledge The highest tone is hard to hear. Laozi taoismtonehard Thirty spokes are joined in the wheel's hub. The hole in the middle makes it useful. Laozi taoismthirtywheels Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful. Laozi taoismclayspace Who can wait in stillness while the mud settles? Laozi taoismmudwaiting Pounding an edge to sharpness will not make it last. Laozi sharpnesstaoismlasts Those who know when it is enough will not perish. Laozi taoismenoughknows Those who are content suffer no disgrace. Laozi disgracetaoismsuffering When leading people and serving Heaven, nothing exceeds moderation. Laozi taoismheavenpeople Do not strive for the shine of jade, but clatter like stone. Laozi taoismshiningstones I am wearied, as if I lacked a home to go to. Laozi taoismcompassionhome Other people have more than they need, I alone seem wanting. Laozi taoismcompassionpeople By compassion one can be brave. Laozi taoismcompassionbrave The sage honors his part of the settlement, but does not exact his due from others. Laozi taoismcompassionhonor Is not the action of nature like the stretching of a bow? The high, it pulls down; the low, it lifts up; It takes from what is in excess In order to make good of what is deficient. Who can take what they have in excess and offer it to others? Laozi taoismexcessorder The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right, all things depend on it to exist, and it does not abandon them. To its accomplishments it lays no claims. It loves and nourished all things, but does not lord it over them. Laozi taoismaccomplishmentinspirational He who does not trust enough will not be trusted. Laozi taoismtrustdoe Without stirring abroad, One can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes The less one knows. Laozi taoismlooking-for-loveheaven«1112131415161718192021»
