Quotes on Taoism

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.

Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness, untie the knots, dim the light, become one with the dust. This is called the profound union.

Heaven cannot but be high. Earth cannot but be broad. The sun and moon cannot but revolve. All creation cannot but flourish. To do so is their TAO. But it is not from extensive study that this may be known, nor by dialectical skill that his may be made clear. The true sage will have none of these.

In ancient times, those who followed the Way did not try to give people knowledge thereof, but kept them ignorant.

Can you care for the people and rule the country and not be cunning?

When the emperor is crowned or the three dukes are appointed, rather than sending a gift of jade carried by four horses, remain still and offer the Way.

Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.

Seek not happiness too greedily and be not fearful of happiness.

Use justice to rule a country. Use surprise to wage war. Use non-action to govern the world.

Is not the action of nature like the stretching of a bow? The high, it pulls down; the low, it lifts up; It takes from what is in excess In order to make good of what is deficient. Who can take what they have in excess and offer it to others?

The honey doesn't taste so good once it is being eaten; the goal doesn't mean so much once it is reached; the reward is no so rewarding once it has been given. If we add up all the rewards in our lives, we won't have very much. But if we add up the spaces *between* the rewards, we'll come up with quite a bit. And if we add up the rewards *and* the spaces, then we'll have everything - every minute of the time that we spent.

The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as a stone.

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

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

Battles are followed by years of famine.

The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced.

One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.

When the Way governs the world, the proud stallions drag dung carriages. When the Way is lost to the world, war horses are bred outside the city.

Misery is what happiness rests upon. Happiness is what misery lurks beneath.

Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little.

Not knowing of the eternal leads to unfortunate errors.