Quotes on Taoism

When people do not dread authorities, then a greater dread descends.

All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.

We go from birth to death. Three out of ten follow life. Three out of ten follow death. People who rush from birth to death are also three out of ten. Why is that so? Because they want to make too much of life.

People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.

Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you.

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

A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, the great country ought to yield.

If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country.

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.

As soon as rules were made, names were given. There are already many names. One must know when it is enough.

Excellent leaders of people lower themselves.

If princes and kings could follow it (Tao), all things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite and sweet dew would fall. People would by themselves find harmony, without being commanded.

When the world is ruled according to the Way, the ghosts lose their power. The ghosts do not really lose their power, but it is not used to harm people.

The weak overcomes the strong. The soft overcomes the hard. Everybody in the world knows this, still nobody makes use of it.

The supreme rulers are hardly known by their subjects. The lesser are loved and praised. The even lesser are feared. The least are despised.

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

The rigid tree will be felled.

Yielding is the manner of the Way.

The soft and weak can overcome the hard and strong.

Yielding, like ice about to melt.

There is no greater disaster than discontent.