Explore Quotes on Tao Ching

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.

Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear.

When there is no desire, all things are at peace

Shape clay into a vessel; _x000D__x000D_It is the space within that makes it useful. _x000D__x000D_Cut doors and windows for a room; _x000D__x000D_It is the holes which make it useful. _x000D__x000D_Therefore benefit comes from what is there; _x000D__x000D_Usefulness from what is not there.

He who stands on tiptoe _x000D__x000D_doesn't stand firm. _x000D__x000D_He who rushes ahead _x000D__x000D_doesn't go far. _x000D__x000D_He who tries to shine _x000D__x000D_dims his own light. _x000D__x000D_He who defines himself _x000D__x000D_can't know who he really is. _x000D__x000D_He who has power over others _x000D__x000D_can't empower himself. _x000D__x000D_He who clings to his work _x000D__x000D_will create nothing that endures.

When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and after follow each other. Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.

...The sage, traveling all day, Does not lose sight of his baggage. Though there are beautiful things to be seen, He remains unattached and calm.

Yielding is the way of the Tao.

Yielding, like ice about to melt.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

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

To understand the limitation of things, desire them.

Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.

The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.

Stop thinking, and end your problems.

So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind; Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily; Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness; Sometimes one is up and sometimes down. Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complacency.

Free from desire, you realize the mystery, caught in the desire, you see only the manifestations.

My teachings are easy to understand and easy to put into practice. Yet your intellect will never grasp them, and if you try to practice them, you'll fail. My teachings are older than the world. How can you grasp their meaning? If you want to know me, look inside your heart.

True words aren't eloquent; eloquent words aren't true. Wise men don't need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren't wise. The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is. The Tao nourishes by not forcing. By not dominating, the Master leads.

Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding.

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