Inspirational Quotes on Taoism

“Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Have the patience to wait! Be still and allow the mud to settle.”

“To bear and not to own; to act and not lay claim; to do the work and let it go: for just letting it go is what makes it stay.”

“He who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child. Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak, but its grip is powerful. It doesn't know about the union of male and female, yet its penis can stand erect, so intense is its vital power. It can scream its head off all day, yet it never becomes hoarse, so complete is its harmony. The Master's power is like this. He lets all things come and go effortlessly, without desire. He never expects results; thus he is never disappointed. He is never disappointed; thus his spirit never grows old.”

“Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes it law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.”

“Stillness and tranquility set things in order in the universe.”

“He who defines himself can't know who he really is. He who has power over others can't empower himself.”

“This world has no need for weapons, Which soon turn on themselves. Where armies camp, nettles grow; After each war, years of famine. The most fruitful outcome Does not depend on force, But succeeds without arrogance Without hostility Without pride Without resistance Without violence.”

“One gains by losing and loses by gaining.”

“To know and to think we know not, is the crown. Not to know and to think we know, is the affliction.”

“So, he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; he who is self-conceited has no superiority allowed to him.”

“Tous les hommes désirent uniquement de se délivrer de la mort ; ils ne savent pas se délivrer de la vie.”