Laozi (6th century BCE,) also Lao Tzu, Lao Jun, Tai Shang Lao-Jun, and Tai Shang Xuanyuan Huangdi, is a quasi-historical Chinese philosopher. He is long-honored in China as the father of Taoism (Daoism.) Although an obscure figure, he is the supposed author of the Tao-te Ching (Daodejing), the main text of Taoist philosophy and religious belief.
Scholars believe that the Tao-te ching (“The Way and Its Virtue” or “The Way and Its Power”) is a collection of writings by many different wise people. Consequently, the term Laozi may not be the name of a person, but an allusion to ‘the old master,’ denoting the accrued wisdom of old men and women of the culture in which Taoism began.
The Taoist school teaches quietism and a nonaggressive approach to life. Taoists believe in living life in its natural flow, what they refer to as an ‘effortless action.’
The principal source of information about Laozi’s life is a biography in the Shiji (“Records of the Historian”) by the historian Sima Qian. Writing in about 100 BCE, he had barely reliable information regarding the philosopher. Laozi was assumed a native of Quren, a village in the district of Hu in the Chu state, which corresponds to the contemporary Luyi in Henan province.
Based on its philological style and grammar, academics reckon that Tao-te ching must have been compiled in the fourth century BCE. It is a short text; perhaps nothing else of comparative length has been translated so often and so variously.
The French sinologist Max Kaltenmark wrote the biography Lao Tzu and Taoism (1969.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Laozi
By the accident of fortune a man may rule the world for a time, but by virtue of love and kindness he may rule the world forever.
—Laozi
Topics: Love, Kindness, Truth
He who has no faith in others shall find no faith in them.
—Laozi
Topics: Belief, Faith
There are many paths to enlightenment. Be sure to take one with a heart.
—Laozi
A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
—Laozi
Topics: Learning, Knowledge, Safety
For every force there is a counterforce. Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon itself.
—Laozi
Topics: Peace
The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
—Laozi
He is strong who conquers others; He who conquers himself is mighty.
—Laozi
Topics: Self-Control, Knowledge, Discipline
Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.
—Laozi
A man who knows how little he knows is well, a man who knows how much he knows is sick. If, when you see the symptoms, you can tell, Your cure is quick.
A sound man knows that sickness makes him sick and before he catches it his cure is quick.
—Laozi
The longest journey begins with a single step.
—Laozi
Topics: Walking
Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding.
—Laozi
Topics: Discovery
The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.
—Laozi
Topics: Action
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
—Laozi
Topics: Water
It is the Vague and Elusive. Meet it and you will not see its head. Follow it and you will not see its back.
—Laozi
Topics: Leaders, Leadership
Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires.
—Laozi
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
—Laozi
Topics: Thinking, Compassion, Kindness, Confidence, Self Confidence, Service
When superior people hear of the Way, they carry it out with diligence. When middling people hear of the Way, it sometimes seems to be there, sometimes not. When lesser people hear of the Way, they ridicule it greatly. If they didn’t laugh at it, it wouldn’t be the Way.
—Laozi
Topics: People, Growth, Courage
The Way of Heaven does not compete, and yet it skillfully achieves victory. It does not speak, and yet it skillfully responds to things. It comes to you without your invitation.
—Laozi
Topics: Accomplishment, Achieve, Victory
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.
—Laozi
Topics: Difficulty, Knowledge
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
—Laozi
Topics: Change
Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
—Laozi
Topics: Integrity, Doing Your Best, Simplicity, Fame, Happiness, Attitude, Success, Failure, Money, Appreciation, Happy
For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions.
—Laozi
Topics: Potential, Space
To lead the people, walk behind them.
—Laozi
Topics: Leadership
Because of a great love, one is courageous.
—Laozi
Topics: Courage, Bravery
If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
—Laozi
Topics: Charity, Intelligence, Giving
That which is achieved the most, still has the whole of its future yet to be achieved.
—Laozi
Topics: Achievement
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants.
—Laozi
Topics: Travel, Journeys
The perfect man employs his mind as a mirror. It grasps nothing; it refuses nothing. It receives, but does not keep.
—Laozi
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 his heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he is automatically involved in fear of losing his status
—Laozi
Topics: Accomplishment
Than self-restraint there is nothing better.
—Laozi
Topics: Self-Discovery
Those who know others are intelligent; those who know themselves are truly wise . Those who master others are strong; those who master themselves have true power
—Laozi
Topics: Wisdom, Meditation
A foolish man is always doing, yet much remains to be done.
—Laozi
Topics: Fools
The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms
—Laozi
Topics: Universe
People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.
—Laozi
To lead people walk behind them.
—Laozi
Topics: Leadership, Leaders
Nature’s way is simple and easy, but men prefer what is intricate and artificial.
—Laozi
Topics: Nature
Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.
—Laozi
Topics: Words
To see things in the seed, that is genius.
—Laozi
Topics: Genius, Gardening
The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
—Laozi
Topics: Water
People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.
—Laozi
Topics: Failure, Success
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Zhuang Zhou Chinese Taoist Philosopher
Confucius Chinese Philosopher
Sun Tzu Chinese Military Leader
Jianzhi Sengcan Chinese-Buddhist Monk
Lin Yutang Chinese Author, Philologist
Pythagoras Greek Philosopher
Anacharsis Scythian Prince
Epictetus Ancient Greek Philosopher
Ludwig von Mises Austrian Economist
Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi German Philosopher