Laozi’s famous sayings

1. When misfortunes come, blessings depend on them; when blessings come, misfortunes fall upon them.

2. Because of its selflessness, it can achieve its selfishness.

3. Quietness beats impatience, cold beats heat. Tranquility is the righteousness of the world.

4. The best is like water. Water is good for all things and does not compete with it. It is disliked by everyone, so it is close to the Tao.

5. Rule the country with integrity, use military force with dexterity, and conquer the world with nothing. How do I know this? According to this: there are many taboos in the world, but the people are poor; there are many people with sharp weapons, and the country is weak; there are many people with clever tricks, and strange things are everywhere; with laws and regulations, there are many thieves. Therefore, the sage said: "If I do nothing, the people will change themselves; if I like to be quiet, the people will be upright; if I have nothing to do, the people will be rich; if I have no desires, the people will be simple."

6. Live in a good place, have a good heart, be kind and benevolent, speak good words and have good faith, govern well, do good things and be able to do good things at the right time. The husband does not fight, so there is no need for you.

7. Saints are often careless and take the hearts of the people as their heart.

8. My words are easy to understand and easy to do. No one in the world can know it, and no one can do it.

9. Man follows the earth, earth follows the sky, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature.

10. There is no greater disaster than dissatisfaction; no greater fault than desire. Therefore, knowing what is enough is always enough.