Author

Lao Tzu Quotes

6th-century BCE Chinese philosopher, traditionally credited as author of the Tao Te Ching and founder of philosophical Taoism.

15 sourced quotes from Lao Tzu across Hygge & The Tao.

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realise there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”

Tao Te Ching Hygge

“The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 1 · ~600 BCE The Tao

“A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 64 The Tao

“When the best leader's work is done, the people say, "We did it ourselves."”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 17 The Tao

“Nothing in the world is softer than water, yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 78 The Tao

“Knowing others is intelligence. Knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 33 The Tao

“To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 48 The Tao

“Reversal is the movement of the Tao. Weakness is the use of the Tao.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 40 The Tao

“Who can wait quietly while the mud settles? Who can remain still until the moment of action?”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 15 The Tao

“The sage does not accumulate. The more he does for others, the more he has. The more he gives, the more he possesses.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 81 The Tao

“Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub. It is the centre hole that makes it useful.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 11 The Tao

“I have three treasures which I hold and keep. The first is compassion. The second is frugality. The third is not daring to be ahead of others.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 67 The Tao

“When you are content to be simply yourself and do not compare or compete, everybody will respect you.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 8 The Tao

“When the small man hears of the Tao, he laughs out loud. If he did not laugh, it would not be the Tao.”

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 41 The Tao

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”

Tao Te Ching · attributed paraphrase The Tao