Laozi

Founder of Taoism

Ancient influential 196 sayings

Sayings by Laozi

Deal with the small as with the large.

c. 6th-4th century BCE — Daodejing, Chapter 63
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Deal with the small as with the large.

c. 6th-4th century BCE — Daodejing, Chapter 63
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Keep your mouth shut, guard your senses, and you will be free from trouble. Open your mouth, always be busy, and you will be beyond hope.

c. 6th-4th century BCE — Daodejing, Chapter 52
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Keep your mouth shut, guard your senses, and you will be free from trouble. Open your mouth, always be busy, and you will be beyond hope.

c. 6th-4th century BCE — Daodejing, Chapter 52
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The Way that can be told of is not an unvarying way.

6th-4th century BCE — Tao Te Ching, Chapter 1 - paradoxical opening
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The sage is sharp but not cutting, pointed but not piercing, straightforward but not unrestrained, brilliant but not dazzling.

6th-4th century BCE — Tao Te Ching, Chapter 58
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish.

6th-4th century BCE — Tao Te Ching, Chapter 60 - minimal intervention advice
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The sage wears rough clothing and holds the jewel in his heart.

6th-4th century BCE — Tao Te Ching, Chapter 70
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

When the great way falls into disuse, there are benevolence and rectitude.

6th-4th century BCE — Tao Te Ching, Chapter 18 - critique of conventional morality
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The five colors make one blind in the eyes; the five tones make one deaf in the ears.

6th-4th century BCE — Tao Te Ching, Chapter 12 - warning against sensory excess
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest paradox of life is that death is the ultimate goal.

6th century BCE (approx) — Interpretation of Taoist philosophy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The best fighter is never angry.

6th century BCE (approx) — From the 'Tao Te Ching', Chapter 68.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

6th century BCE (approx) — Interpretation of Taoist philosophy, often attributed as a direct quote.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people will be.

6th century BCE (approx) — From the 'Tao Te Ching', Chapter 57.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

6th century BCE (approx) — From the 'Tao Te Ching', Chapter 33.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

To know that you do not know is the best. To think you know when you do not is a disease.

6th century BCE (approx) — From the 'Tao Te Ching', Chapter 71.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The sage puts his own person last, and yet is found in the foremost place.

6th century BCE (approx) — From the 'Tao Te Ching', Chapter 7.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who is content with what he has, is rich.

6th century BCE (approx) — From the 'Tao Te Ching', Chapter 33.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

6th century BCE (approx) — Interpretation of Taoist philosophy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.

6th century BCE (approx) — From the 'Tao Te Ching', Chapter 81.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed