Be simply yourself – Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu Quotes

A collection of 31 profound Lao Tzu quotes that teach you about how to be simply yourself and master the art of living. Having transcended time and geographical location, these words of wisdom turn out to be as valid and needed in today’s world.

Lao Tzu, also referred to as Laozi or Lao-Tze, was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. Born between the 6th-4th century BC, he is regarded as the author of Tao Te Ching (The Book of The Way) and the father of philosophical Taoism.

1. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
2. When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
3. If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.
4. Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.
5. When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.
6. The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
7. Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found.
8. New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.
9. What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.
10. If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
11. A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants.
12. All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.
13. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
14. An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.
15. If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
16. A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.
17. If you want to know me, look inside your heart.
18. Time is a created thing. To say “I don’t have time,” is like saying, “I don’t want to.
19. Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.
20. Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?
21. When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready… The teacher will Disappear.
22. Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.
23. The best fighter is never angry.
24. He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
25. Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
26. I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
27. To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.
28. He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
29. The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.
30. As soon as you have made a thought, laugh at it.
31. Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there.

Which of the Lao Tzu quotes has made an impact on your life? Are there other Lao Tzu quotes you would include in this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

May this video inspire you to live a better, more fulfilling life.

Now, it’s your move.