Lao Tzu Quotes
Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere.
Laozi. The Texts of Taoism. Translated by James Legge, Oxford University Press, 1891, p. 123.
This is one of the proverbs of King Solomon of the Jews, son of King David. This quotation urges a leader to avoid advisors and appointees who do not tell the truth.
The Chief was contrasting the Cherokee behavior with that if the U. S. Government agents dealing with the Indians who were very eloquent about their friendship with Indians who they had never met before and mad many motives but personal friendship was rarely one.
Lao Tzu (/ˈlaʊˈtsuː/ or /ˈlaʊˈdzʌ/), also rendered as Laozi (UK: /ˈlaʊˈzɪə/; US: /ˈlaʊˈtsiː/; Chinese: 老子, Mandarin: [làu̯.tsɹ̩]; commonly translated as "Old Master") and Lao-Tze (/ˈlaʊˈdzeɪ/), was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, the founder of philosophical Taoism, and a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions.