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
Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.
—Laozi
Topics: Water, Power
The sage wears clothes of coarse cloth but carries jewels
in his bosom;
He knows himself but does not display himself;
He loves himself but does not hold himself in high esteem.
Thus he rejects the latter and takes the former.
—Laozi
Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.
—Laozi
The longest journey begins with a single step.
—Laozi
Topics: Walking
Nature is not human hearted.
—Laozi
Topics: Nature
When rich speculators prosper while farmers lose their land; when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures; when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible while the poor have nowhere to turn-all this is robbery and chaos.
—Laozi
Topics: Justice
He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
—Laozi
Topics: Self-Control, Power, Control, Action
He who possess virtue in abundance may be compared to an infant.
—Laozi
Topics: Abundance
Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved.
—Laozi
Topics: Failure, Mistakes, Failures
The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them.
—Laozi
Topics: Victory
Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
—Laozi
Topics: Cunning, Disorder, Intelligence
We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
—Laozi
He who knows he has enough is rich.
—Laozi
Topics: Riches, Wealth
He who knows others is clever; He who knows himself has discernment.
—Laozi
Topics: Identity, Self-Knowledge
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
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
—Laozi
Topics: Thinking, Self Confidence, Compassion, Kindness, Service, Confidence
He who is contented is rich.
—Laozi
Topics: Riches, Appreciation, Blessings, Wealth, Gratitude
If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
—Laozi
Topics: Charity, Intelligence, Giving
He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.
—Laozi
Topics: Trust
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: Simplicity, Attitude, Happiness, Happy, Failure, Appreciation, Success, Fame, Money, Integrity, Doing Your Best
Good walking leaves no track behind it.
—Laozi
Topics: Walking
That which is achieved the most, still has the whole of its future yet to be achieved.
—Laozi
Topics: Achievement
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
Even a journey of a thousand miles starts from right under one’s feet.
—Laozi
He who has not faith in others shall find no faith in them.
—Laozi
Topics: Optimism, Health, Positive Attitudes
Abandon learning and there will be no sorrow
—Laozi
Topics: Sorrow
He is strong who conquers others; He who conquers himself is mighty.
—Laozi
Topics: Discipline, Knowledge, Self-Control
Don’t think you can attain total awareness and whole enlightenment without proper discipline and practice. This is egomania. Appropriate rituals channel your emotions and life energy toward the light. Without the discipline to practice them, you will tumble constantly backward into darkness.
—Laozi
Topics: Life, Education, Intelligence, Discipline, Action
The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, “We did it ourselves.”
—Laozi
Topics: Leadership
The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.
—Laozi
Topics: Victory, World
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