| Born | Trad. 6th century BC (Sometimes dated 4th century BC) Quren Village, Chu (present-day Luyi, Henan) |
|---|---|
| Died | Trad. 5th century BC |
| Notable work | Tao Te Ching |
| Era | Ancient philosophy |
| Region | Chinese philosophy |
| School | Taoism |
| Notable ideas | TaoWu wei |
Lao Tzu (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade-Giles: Laosi; also Laozi, Lao Tse, Lao Tu, Lao-Tsu, Laotze, Laosi, Lao Zi, Laocius, Lao Ce, and other variations) was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching (often simply referred to as Laozi). His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (pronounced as “Daoism”). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of the Taoist religion, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or “One of the Three Pure Ones”. Laozi translated literally from Chinese means “old master” or “old one”, and is generally considered honorific.
According to Chinese tradition, Laozi lived in the 6th century BCE. Historians variously contend that Laozi is a synthesis of multiple historical figures, that he is a mythical figure, or that he actually lived in the 5th-4th century BCE, concurrent with the Hundred Schools of Thought and Warring States Period. As a result of being a a central figure in Chinese culture, both nobility and common people claim Lao Tzu in their lineage.
Lao Tzu Quotes
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
“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.”
“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
“He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
“Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.”
“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”
“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.”
“The best fighter is never angry.”
“Silence is a source of great strength.”
“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.”
“The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast.”
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
“Great acts are made up of small deeds.”
“Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?”
“Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.”
“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”
“Act without expectation.”
“The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.”
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
“Stop thinking, and end your problems.”
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time’ is like saying ‘I don’t want to.'”
“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.”
“He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty.”
“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.”
“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”
“He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love.”
“The wise man does not lay up treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.”
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
“The further one goes, the less one knows.”
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