Lao Tzu Quotes

Be content to seem what you really are.

Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. Be like the Tao. It can't be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed, honored or brought into disgrace. It gives itself up continually. That is why it endures.

The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

Humility does not mean believing oneself to be inferior, but to be freed from self-importance. It is a state of natural simplicity which is in harmony with our true nature and allows us to taste the freshness of the present moment.

A good man often appears gauche simply because he does not take advantage of the myriad mean little chances of making himself look stylish. Preferring truth to form, he is not constantly at work upon the facade of his appearance.

At my funeral, if one said, 'Nick was a generous person,' trust me I won't be doing cartwheels in my coffin. Recognition from people is never and never will be a goal. Some people strive for that respect or honor. Living a life to just reach for the position and status is vanity and sin.

True humility is contentment.

We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.

I can't live off the ego.

There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth.

I always tell my wife, 'If you're ever looking for something to put on my gravestone, put down, 'He was an honest man, and he never held a grudge.'

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever.

Born poor, but of honored and humble people, I am particularly proud to die poor.

Work at being a humble person.

Pride perceiving humility honorable, often borrows her cloak.

If I want to leave one thing here after I'm gone, it would be an incredible sense of humility.

I don't want to surpass anyone. I don't want to be better than anyone else.

We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh. Rather, we must be simple, humble and pure.

I don't try to be nothing I'm not. I'm not flashy. I'm just me.

I'm not a showoff. My happiness comes from very basic and simple things.

My favourite virtue is not having any.

You're never going to catch me calling myself a hero unless I'm joking.

My mother and father just taught me the basics: to be really kind, to really listen to people. I have never been one to put on airs and graces.

I am someone without an ego.

The seeker after truth should be humbler than the dust. The world crushes the dust under its feet, but the seeker after truth should so humble himself that even the dust could crush him. Only then, and not till then, will he have a glimpse of truth.