Best 485 quotes in «taoism quotes» category

The I Ching tells us that for every ending there is a new beginning. In other words, what appears like a transition isn't really a transition; it's a continuum of existence. If you close your eyes for a moment the room will appear to go away. But does it really? Open your eyes again and the room will still be there. That's all death is.

The man who has some respect for his person keeps his carcass out of sight, hides himself as perfectly as he can.

The more you know the less you understand.

...the more you talk of it, the less you understand.

The most complete seems lacking. Yet in use it is not exhausted.

The most difficult in the world must be easy in its beginning.

The nameless is the beginning of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of all things.

The perfect square lacks corners.

The Master observes the world, but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. His heart is as open as the sky.

There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands.

The Master's power is like this. He lets all things come and go effortlessly, without desire. He never expects results; thus he is never disappointed. He is never disappointed; thus his spirit never grows old.

There are two choices available in duality - one side or the other side. Everyting is formed from that.

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.

The softest in the world surpasses the hardest in the world.

The sturdiest virtue seems fragile.

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

The Tao is like a well; used but never used up.

The Tao of the sage is work without effort.

The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to yin and yang. Yin and yang give birth to all things... The complete whole is the complete whole. So also is any part the complete whole... But forget about understanding and harmonizing and making all things one. The universe is already a harmonious oneness; just realize it.

The unyielding army will not win.

The virtuous carry out the settlement, but those without virtue pursue their claims.

The Way is empty, yet inexhaustible, like an abyss!

The Way is ever without action, yet nothing is left undone.

The way of heaven is to help and not harm.

The Way is eternal. Until your last day, you are free from peril.

The whole world says that my Way is great like nothing else. It is great because it is like nothing else. If it were like everything else, it would long ago have become insignificant.

The Way is the source of all things, good people's treasure and bad people's refuge.

The rigid tree will be felled.

The rigid and big belong below. The soft and weak belong above.

Thirty spokes are joined in the wheel's hub. The hole in the middle makes it useful.

Those who are broad-minded and considerate are like the spring breeze, warm and nurturing, at show touch all being grow. Those who are envious an d cruel are like the snow of the northlands, stilling and freezing, at whose touch all beings die.

Those who advice the ruler on the Way, do not want the world subdued with weapons.

The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it.

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

The world's beginning is its mother. To have found the mother is also to know the children. Although you know the children, cling to the mother. Until your last day you will not be harmed.

Those who stand on their toes are not steady.

Those who are quiet value the words. When their task is completed, people will say: We did it ourselves.

Those who praise victory relish manslaughter. Those who relish manslaughter cannot reach their goals in the world.

To be brave without compassion, generous without moderation, and rule without refraining from being first in the world, are certain deaths.

Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do not know.

To retreat after a work well done is Heaven's Way.

True words seem false.

True words are not pleasing. Pleasing words are not true.

Unconscious of the existence of Tao, beings live supposing themselves to be separate from the universal intelligence, supposing themselves to be powerful or to be weak, thinking that they live their lives and die their deaths.

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

Use the light to return to clarity.

To bear the country's disgrace is to rule the shrines of soil and grain. To bear the country's misfortunes is to be the king of the world.

Water uses itself to go beyond whatever it needs to go beyond.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are abhorred by all creatures. Anyone who follows the Way shuns them.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.