Quotes on Taoism

A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female.

The river and the sea can be kings of a hundred valleys, because they lie below them.

He who treasures his body as much as the world can care for the world.

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

When good thing are accomplished, it does not claim (or name) them. This is Te, which is close in meaning to power or virtue. It is something within a person, and it is enhanced by following the Tao, or 'that from which nothing can deviate'.

You'd be surprised how many people violate this simple principle every day of their lives and try to fit square pegs into round holes, ignoring the clear reality that Things Are As They Are.

The one who is filled by virtue is like a newborn baby.

Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby?

The unyielding army will not win.

The Great Vessel takes long to complete.

Everything has its own place and function. That applies to people, although many don't seem to realize it, stuck as they are in the wrong job, the wrong marriage, or the wrong house. When you know and respect your Inner Nature, you know where you belong. You also know where you don't belong.

Do you really want to be happy? You can begin by being appreciative of who you are and what you've got.

They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.

Fine words are traded. Noble deeds gain respect. But people who are not good, why abandon them?

The Tao is near and people seek it far away.

When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.

Your name or your body, what is dearer? Your body or your wealth, what is worthier?

Do not struggle. Go with the flow of things, and you will find yourself at one with the mysterious unity of the Universe.

Cut brambles long enough, Sprout after sprout, And the lotus will bloom Of its own accord: Already waiting in the clearing, The single image of light. The day you see this, That day you will become it.

Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength

Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.