The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao. Laozi More Quotes by Laozi More Quotes From Laozi Great talents ripen late; the highest notes are hard to hear. Laozi notes talent teaching The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth. Laozi taoism dwelling doe If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve. Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter's place. When you handle the master carpenter's tools, chances are that you'll cut your hand. Laozi cutting dying hands Superior leaders get things done with very little motion. They impart instruction not through many words, but through a few deeds. They keep informed about everything but interfere hardly at all. They are catalysts, and though things would not get done as well if they were not there, when they succeed they take no credit. And, because they take no credit, credit never leaves them. Laozi deeds done leadership The perfect square lacks corners. Laozi taoism squares perfect Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear. Laozi tao-ching dangerous inspirational Pride attaches undue importance to the superiority of one's status in the eyes of others; and shame is fear of humiliation at one's inferior status in the estimation of others. When one sets one's heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he or she is automatically involved in fear of losing status. Laozi eye pride heart My words have an origin. My deeds have a sovereign. Truly, because people do not understand this, they do not understand me. Laozi taoism people knowledge Learn from the people. Plan with the people. Begin with what they have. Build on what they know. Laozi plans knows people I confess that there is nothing to teach: no religion, no science, no writings which will lead your mind back to Spirit. Today I speak this way, tomorrow that, but always the Path is beyond words and beyond mind. Laozi deep-life life-lesson writing If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession. Laozi taoism tao-te-ching wisdom There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war. Laozi engaging calamity war Stay at the center and let all things take their course. Laozi stay-positive stay-strong all-things The Way begets one; one begets two; two begets three; three begets the myriad creatures. Laozi three numbers two The light of the Way seems dim. Laozi taoism light way The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long. Laozi flames inspirational philosophy Therefore the Sage embraces Unity, and is a model for all under Heaven. He is free from self-display, therefore he shines forth; from self-assertion, therefore he is distinguished; from self-glorification, therefore he has merit; from self-exaltation, therefore he rises superior to all. Inasmuch as he does not strive, there is no one in the world who can strive with him. Laozi shining humility self The generals have a saying: "Rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see. Rather than advance an inch it is better to retreat a yard." This is called going forward without advancing, pushing back without using weapons. There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil. Thus you destroy your three treasures and become an enemy yourself. When two great forces oppose each other, the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield. Laozi mean moving thinking Most of the world's religions serve only to strengthen attachments to false concepts such as self and other, life and death, heaven and earth, and so on. Those who become entangled in these false ideas are prevented from perceiving the Integral Oneness. Laozi attachment self life The Tao is told is not the Tao. Laozi tao taoism