Quotes by Taoism A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female. Laozi taoismriverscountry The female always surpasses the male with stillness. In her stillness she is yielding. Laozi taoismmalesfemale Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby? Laozi newborntaoismbaby The one who is filled by virtue is like a newborn baby. Laozi newborntaoismbaby Yielding, like ice about to melt. Laozi tao-chingtaoismice Wear down to be renewed. Laozi taoism The rigid tree will be felled. Laozi taoismtree The rigid and big belong below. The soft and weak belong above. Laozi taoismbigsweak The weak overcomes the strong. The soft overcomes the hard. Everybody in the world knows this, still nobody makes use of it. Laozi taoismstrongovercoming Can you care for the people and rule the country and not be cunning? Laozi taoismcountrypeople He who treasures his body as much as the world can care for the world. Laozi taoismtreasureworld In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them. Laozi taoismkingsworld Good leaders reach solutions, and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force. Laozi taoismforceleader If princes and kings were not exalted they might be overthrown. Laozi taoismkingsmight What people loathe the most is to be orphaned, desolate, unworthy. But this is what princes and kings call themselves. Laozi taoismkingspeople Cultivate virtue in the world, and it will be universal. Laozi taoismvirtueworld The one who rules like the mother lasts long. Laozi taoismmotherlong When the emperor is crowned or the three dukes are appointed, rather than sending a gift of jade carried by four horses, remain still and offer the Way. Laozi taoismhorsethree Use the light to return to clarity. Laozi taoismlightuse The truly great ones rely on substance, and not on surface, hold on to the fruit, and not to the flower. Laozi taoismsubstanceflower«1516171819202122232425»
