Lao Tzu

“The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'”

“Silence is a source of great strength.”

“In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.”

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

“Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.”

“Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.”

“Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.”

“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

“Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.”

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

“To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.”

“Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.”

“Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.”

“Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.”

“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.”

“People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.”

“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”

“All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.”

“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”

“There was something undifferentiated and yet complete, which existed before Heaven and Earth. Soundless and formless, it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger. It may be considered the mother of the universe. I do not know its name; I call it Tao.”