Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.
Author
Lao Tzu
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Lao Tzu currently has 156 indexed quotes and 6 linked works on QuoteMust. This page is the canonical destination for that author archive.
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Existence is beyond the power of wordsTo define:Terms may be usedBut are none of them absolute.In the beginning of heaven and earth there were no words,Words came out of the womb of matter;And whether a man dispassionatelySees to the core of lifeOr passionatelySees the surface,The core and the surfaceAre essentially the same,Words making them seem differentOnly to express appearance.If name be needed, wonder names them both:From wonder into wonderExistence opens.
To lead people, you must follow behind.
He who is in harmony with the Taois like a newborn child.Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak,but its grip is powerful.It doesn't know about the unionof male and female,yet its penis can stand erect,so intense is its vital power.It can scream its head off all day,yet it never becomes hoarse,so complete is its harmony.The Master's power is like this.He lets all things come and goeffortlessly, without desire.He never expects results;thus he is never disappointed.He is never disappointed;thus his spirit never grows old.
The ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people.
I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.
Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Startwith what they know. Build with what they have. But with the bestleaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people willsay 'We have done this ourselves.
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil.
So the unwanting soulsees what's hidden,and the ever-wanting soulsees only what it wants.
As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it.
Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.
The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.
If you understand others you are smart.If you understand yourself you are illuminated.If you overcome others you are powerful.If you overcome yourself you have strength.If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.If you can act with vigor, you have a will.If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting.If you die without loss, you are eternal.
Thirty spokesShare one hub.Make the nothing therein appropriate, and you will have the use of the cart.
Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.
Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.
The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. A victory should be celebrated with the funeral rite.
If you want to govern the people,You must place yourself below them.If you want to lead people,You must learn how to follow them.