Quotes by category:Taoism

When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness ar... by Laozi

When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.

taoism abandoned arise

Heaven and Earth are not kind. They regard all things as offering... by Laozi

Heaven and Earth are not kind. They regard all things as offerings.

taoism offering heaven

All things arise in unison. Thereby we see their return. by Laozi

All things arise in unison. Thereby we see their return.

taoism arise return

All things flourish, and each returns to its source. by Laozi

All things flourish, and each returns to its source.

taoism source return

If Heaven and Earth are unable to persist, how could man? by Laozi

If Heaven and Earth are unable to persist, how could man?

taoism men heaven

What the Way is to the world, the stream is to the river and the... by Laozi

What the Way is to the world, the stream is to the river and the sea.

taoism sea rivers

He (the sage) wants all things to follow their own nature, but da... by Laozi

He (the sage) wants all things to follow their own nature, but dares not act.

sage taoism want

Cautious, like crossing a river in the winter. by Laozi

Cautious, like crossing a river in the winter.

taoism winter rivers

Wary, as if surrounded by strangers. by Laozi

Wary, as if surrounded by strangers.

taoism stranger ifs

Although he travels all day, the sage never loses sight of his lu... by Laozi

Although he travels all day, the sage never loses sight of his luggage carts.

sage taoism sight

Seal the openings, shut the doors, and until your last day you will not be exhausted. Widen the openings, interfere, and until your last day you will not be safe.

taoism safe doors

Pursue without interfering. by Laozi

Pursue without interfering.

interfere taoism pursue

Taking things lightly must lead to big difficulties. by Laozi

Taking things lightly must lead to big difficulties.

taoism difficulty bigs

The sage's Way is to act and not to contend. by Laozi

The sage's Way is to act and not to contend.

sage taoism way

The brittle is easy to shatter. by Laozi

The brittle is easy to shatter.

The small is easy to scatter. by Laozi

The small is easy to scatter.

A tree as wide as a man's embrace grows from a tiny shoot. by Laozi

A tree as wide as a man's embrace grows from a tiny shoot.

taoism tree men

A climb of eight hundred feet starts where the foot stands. by Laozi

A climb of eight hundred feet starts where the foot stands.

taoism eight feet

There is no greater crime than desire. by Laozi

There is no greater crime than desire.

taoism crime desire

I have no desire to desire, and people become like the uncarved w... by Laozi

I have no desire to desire, and people become like the uncarved wood by themselves.

taoism desire people