Quotes by Taoism If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country. Laozi taoismyieldcountry To rule by knowledge ravages the country. Laozi taoismcountry To be brave without compassion, generous without moderation, and rule without refraining from being first in the world, are certain deaths. Laozi taoismcompassionbrave When people do not dread authorities, then a greater dread descends. Laozi taoismauthoritypeople Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you. Laozi wearytaoismpeople People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern. Laozi taoismtoo-muchpeople Those who die without being forgotten get longevity. Laozi longevitytaoismforgotten 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 taoismthreepeople Filling life exceedingly is called ominous. Laozi ominousfillingtaoism There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands. Laozi taoismtryinghands People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly. Laozi taoismtoo-muchpeople Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life. Laozi taoismactinglife-is People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff. Laozi taoismweakpeople The hard and stiff are death's companions. The soft and weak are life's companions. Laozi taoismcompanionweak Let people take death seriously, and not travel far. Laozi taoismpeople Why is the tao so valuable? Because it is everywhere, and everyone can use it. This is why those who seek will find, And those who reform will be forgiven; Why the good will be rewarded, And the thief who is cunning will escape. Laozi taoismthievesreform Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment. Laozi taoismselflessheaven The truest sayings are paradoxical. Laozi paradoxicaltaoismtruest The Tao's principle is spontaneity. Laozi taotaoismprinciples The Tao of the sage is work without effort. Laozi taoismeffortwork«1819202122232425262728»
