"The one who rules like the mother lasts long."
Read quote
3 likes
Quote collection
Laozi quotes (page 63 of 66)
1.3K quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people's faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, We have done it ourselves."
Read quote
3 likes
"When many people are killed, they should be mourned and lamented. Those who are victorious in war should follow the rites of funerals."
Read quote
3 likes
"Clay is fashioned into vessels; it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a dwelling, and on the empty space within, its use depends. Thus, while the existence of things may be good, it is the non-existence in them that makes them serviceable."
Read quote
3 likes
"The greatest teacher has nothing to say. He simply gives himself in service, and never worries."
Read quote
3 likes
"Although there are weapons for tens and hundreds of soldiers, they will not be used."
Read quote
3 likes
"When equal armies battle, the grieving one will be victorious."
Read quote
3 likes
"Warriors say: I dare not be like the host, but would rather be like the guest. I dare not advance an inch, but would rather retreat a foot."
Read quote
3 likes
"There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands."
Read quote
3 likes
"A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, the great country ought to yield."
Read quote
3 likes
"By not claiming to be first in the world one can rule."
Read quote
3 likes
"Profound virtue is indeed deep and wide. It leads all things back to the great order."
Read quote
3 likes
"Yield and overcome; Bend and be straight; Empty and be full; Wear out and be new; Have little and gain; Have much and be confused. ...The ancients say, "Yield and overcome." Is that an empty saying? Be really whole, And all things will come to you."
Read quote
3 likes
"By letting go, it all gets done."
Read quote
3 likes
"Of the second-rate leaders people speak respectfully saying, "He has done this, he has done that." Of the first-rate leaders, they do not say this. They say, "We have done it all ourselves.""
Read quote
3 likes
"Man, when living, is soft and tender; when dead, he is hard and tough. All animals and plants when living are tender and delicate; when dead they become withered and dry. Therefore it is said: the hard and tough are parts of death; the soft and tender are parts of life."
Read quote
3 likes
"The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine."
Read quote
3 likes
"The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects."
Read quote
3 likes
"You should rule a great country As you would fry a small fish- With the least turning."
Read quote
3 likes
"The leader is best, When people are hardly aware of his existence, Not so good when people praise his government, Less good when people stand in fear, Worst, when people are contemptuous. Fail to honor people, and they will fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who speaks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, The people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"
Read quote
3 likes