Lao Tzu

“To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.”

“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.”

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

“Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.”

“The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.”

“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.”

“Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.”

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

“The words of truth are always paradoxical.”

“If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.”

“If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.”

“Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.”

“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.”

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”

“A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.”

“How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?”

“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

“Nature is not human hearted.”

“It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.”

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.”

“He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.”

“When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth it is the beginning of disorder.”

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.”