Lao Tzu

“Then appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy.”

“When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue.”

“This returning to their root is what we call the state of stillness; and that stillness may be called a reporting that they have fulfilled their appointed end.”

“When things (in the vegetable world) have displayed their luxuriant growth, we see each of them return to its root.”

“The door and windows are cut out (from the walls) to form an apartment; but it is on the empty space (within), that its use depends.”

“The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel depends.”

“We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness, and bring ourselves into agreement with the obscurity of others.”

“To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a disease.”

“He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.”

“Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do not learn, and turns back to what the multitude of men have passed by.”

“Therefore the sage, while he never does what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest things.”

“A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day.”

“The (state of) vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree, and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour.”

“Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared; honour and great calamity, to be regarded as personal conditions (of the same kind).”

“When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.”

“If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.”

“When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself.”

“that of the mind is in abysmal stillness;”

“With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their will.”

“A skilful (commander) strikes a decisive blow, and stops.”

“He whose (desires) are few gets them; he whose (desires) are many goes astray.”

“Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends.”

“The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because they do not live of, or for, themselves.”

“that the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another; and that being before and behind give the idea of one following another.”

“So it is that some things are increased by being diminished, and others are diminished by being increased.”

“When its work is accomplished, it does not claim the name of having done it.”

“If its deep mystery we would sound;”

“But if desire always within us be,”

“Its outer fringe is all that we shall see.”

“that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other;”

“May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a bellows?”

“If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession.”

“Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear.”

“Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)?”

“Heaven's net is wide, but its mesh is fine”

“Quien conoce su ignorancia revela la más profunda sabiduría.Quien ignora su ignorancia vive en la más profunda ilusión.”

“La liberación del deseo conduce a la paz interior.”

“Quien conoce a los otros es sabio; quien se conoce a sí mismo es iluminado.”

“Cuando me despojo de lo que soy, me torno en lo que podría ser.”

“Un buen viajero no tiene planes fijos y no tiene intención de llegar.”

“Quien conoce a los demás es inteligente. Quien se conoce a sí mismo tiene visión interna. Quien conquista a los demás tiene fuerza; quien se conquista a sí mismo es realmente poderoso.”

“Porque cree en sí mismo,no intenta convencer a otros.Porque está conformeconsigo mismo,no necesita la aprobación de otros.”

“He who speaks does not know; he who knows does not speak”

“Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil.”

“He who is contented is rich.”

“He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.”

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it”

“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend.”

“I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any.”

“He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily).”