All Sayings

4,634 sayings found from the Ancient era

The world is a sacred vessel. It cannot be controlled. Those who try to control it will ruin it. Those who try to grasp it will lose it.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

The world is a sacred vessel. It cannot be controlled. Those who try to control it will ruin it. Those who try to grasp it will lose it.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

The sage puts his person last, and it comes first. He treats his person as an outsider, and it is preserved.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

The sage puts his person last, and it comes first. He treats his person as an outsider, and it is preserved.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

Abandon sageliness and discard wisdom, and the people will benefit a hundredfold.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

Abandon sageliness and discard wisdom, and the people will benefit a hundredfold.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

The uncarved block, though small, is nowhere in the world inferior. If princes and kings could but hold on to it, all creatures would submit to them.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

The uncarved block, though small, is nowhere in the world inferior. If princes and kings could but hold on to it, all creatures would submit to them.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

Therefore the sage holds to the one and becomes a model for the world. He does not display himself; therefore he shines. He does not assert himself; therefore he is known. He does not boast; therefore he has merit. He does not contend; therefore no o…

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

Therefore the sage holds to the one and becomes a model for the world. He does not display himself; therefore he shines. He does not assert himself; therefore he is known. He does not boast; therefore he has merit. He does not contend; therefore no o…

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

The reason why the river and the sea are able to be the lords of the hundred valleys is that they excel in taking the lower position. That is why they are able to be the lords of the hundred valleys.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

The reason why the river and the sea are able to be the lords of the hundred valleys is that they excel in taking the lower position. That is why they are able to be the lords of the hundred valleys.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

When the great Tao is abandoned, there is humanity and righteousness. When wisdom and intelligence appear, there is great hypocrisy.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

When the great Tao is abandoned, there is humanity and righteousness. When wisdom and intelligence appear, there is great hypocrisy.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

Deal with it before it happens. Set things in order before there is confusion.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

Deal with it before it happens. Set things in order before there is confusion.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

Deal with the small as with the large.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

Deal with the small as with the large.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

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.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual

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.

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
Strange & Unusual