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
Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.
—Laozi
Topics: Simplicity
Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.
—Laozi
Topics: Words
When you find the way others will find you.
—Laozi
The sage never tries to store things up. The more he does for others, the more he has. The more he gives to others, the greater his abundance.
—Laozi
Topics: Abundance, Wisdom, Giving
Abandon learning and there will be no sorrow
—Laozi
Topics: Sorrow
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
—Laozi
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
—Laozi
Topics: Self Confidence, Service, Thinking, Compassion, Kindness, Confidence
For all things difficult to acquire, the intelligent man works with perseverance.
—Laozi
Topics: Intelligence, Perseverance
Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.
—Laozi
Topics: Busy
As restrictions and prohibitions are multiplied the people grow poorer and poorer. When they are subjected to overmuch government, the land is thrown into confusion.
—Laozi
Topics: Government
When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.
—Laozi
Be as the still mountain; Move like the great river.
—Laozi
Topics: Great
When the superior scholar hears of Tao, he diligently practises it. When the average scholar hears of Tao, he sometimes retains it, sometimes loses it. When the inferior scholar hears of Tao, he loudly laughs at it. Were it not thus ridiculed, it would not be worthy of the name of Tao.
—Laozi
Topics: Wisdom
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.
—Laozi
Topics: How to Live
He who tip-toes cannot stand; he who strides cannot walk.
—Laozi
Topics: Ambition
Freedom from desire leads to inner peace.
—Laozi
Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.
—Laozi
Topics: Life, Death, Attitude
The sage does not hoard. Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more; having given all he has to others, he is richer still.
—Laozi
Topics: Money, Misery
Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people’s faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, “We have done it ourselves.”
—Laozi
Topics: Government
Without going out-of-doors, one can know all he needs to know. Without even looking out of his window, one can grasp the nature of everything. Without going beyond his own nature, one can achieve ultimate wisdom. Therefore, the intelligent man knows all he needs to know without going away, And sees all he needs to see without looking elsewhere, And does all he needs to do wihout undue exertion
—Laozi
Topics: Accomplishment
By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.
—Laozi
Topics: Attachment, Winning, Letting Go
There are many paths to enlightenment. Be sure to take one with a heart.
—Laozi
Let there be a small country with few people …
Though neighboring communities overlook one another and the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs can be heard,
Yet the people there may grow old and die without ever visiting one another.
—Laozi
Topics: Community
Activity conquers cold, but stillness conquers heat.
—Laozi
A violent wind does not outlast the morning; a squall of rain does not outlast the day. Such is the course of Nature. And if Nature herself cannot sustain her efforts long, how much less can man!
—Laozi
Topics: Persistence
Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
—Laozi
Topics: Intelligence, Cunning, Disorder
We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
—Laozi
Because of a great love, one is courageous.
—Laozi
Topics: Courage, Bravery
A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
—Laozi
Topics: Safety, Knowledge, Learning
Without stirring abroad, one can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window one can see the way of heaven. The further one goes the less one knows.
—Laozi
Topics: Travel, Tourism
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