Taoism Quotes - Page 10

But if you do not have the Tao yourself, what business have you spending your time in vain efforts to bring corrupt politicians into the right path?

The road of truth is broad; set the mind on it, and you feel expansive openness and broad clarity. The road of human desires is narrow; set foot on it, and you see brambles and mire before you.

You should be forgiving when others make mistakes, but not when the mistakes are in you. You should be patient under duress yourself, but not when it affects others.

Those who live simply are often pure, while those who live luxuriously may be slavish and servile. It seems that the will is clarified by plainness, while conduct is ruined by indulgence.

By ethical argument and moral principle the greatest crimes are eventually shown to have been necessary, and, in fact, a signal benefit to mankind.

The love of a Sage for his fellows likewise finds expression amongst mankind. Were he not told sop, he would not know that he loved his fellows. But whether he knows it or whether he does not know it, whether he hears it or whether he does not hear it, his love for his is without end, and mankind cease not to repose therein.

My body is in accord with my mind, my mind with my energies, my energies with my spirit, my spirit with Nothing.

Yielding, like ice about to melt.

The Tao is like a well; used but never used up.

The reason for great distress is the body. Without it, what distress could there be?

To bear the country's disgrace is to rule the shrines of soil and grain. To bear the country's misfortunes is to be the king of the world.

When the government is quite unobtrusive, people are indeed pure. When the government is quite prying, people are indeed conniving.

The virtuous carry out the settlement, but those without virtue pursue their claims.

What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?

What's the difference between yes and no?

Meet the big while it is small.

Words spoken about the Way have no taste. When looked at, there's not enough to see. When listened to, there's not enough to hear. When used, it is never exhausted.

Who can rest until the moment of action?

The Way is empty, yet inexhaustible, like an abyss!

The grandest virtue seems deficient.

When the world is ruled according to the Way, the ghosts lose their power. The ghosts do not really lose their power, but it is not used to harm people.

A multitude of words is tiresome, unlike remaining centered.

Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few.

Attain utmost emptiness. Abide in steadfast stillness.

The Way is ever nameless.