“Those who stand on tiptoes do not stand firmly.
Those who rush ahead don’t get very far.
Those who try to outshine others dim their own light.
Those who call themselves righteous can’t know how wrong they are.
Those who boast of their accomplishments diminish the things they have done.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 24
“There is no greater transgression than
condoning people’s selfish desires,
no greater disaster than being discontent,
and no greater retribution than for greed.
Whoever knows contentment
will be at peace forever.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 46
“If you can empty your mind of all thoughts
your heart will embrace the tranquility of peace.
Watch the workings of all of creation,
but contemplate their return to the source.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 16
“Forget about knowledge and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times better off.
Throw away charity and righteousness,
and people will return to brotherly love.
Throw away profit and greed,
and there won’t be any thieves.
These three are superficial and aren’t enough
to keep us at the center of the circle,
so we must also: Embrace simplicity.
Put others first. Desire little.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 19
“Those who know do not talk.
Those who talk do not know.
Stop talking, meditate in silence,
blunt your sharpness, release your worries,
harmonize your inner light,
and become one with the dust.
Doing this is called the dark
and mysterious identity.
Those who have achieved
the mysterious identity
can not be approached,
and they can not be alienated.
They can not be benefited nor harmed.
They can not be made noble
nor to suffer disgrace.
This makes them the most noble
of all under the heavens.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 56
“If you want to become whole,
first let yourself become broken.
If you want to become straight,
first let yourself become twisted.
If you want to become full,
first let yourself become empty.
If you want to become new,
first let yourself become old.
Those whose desires are few get them,
those whose desires are great go astray.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 22
“Heaviness is the basis of lightness.
Stillness is the standard of activity.
Thus the Master travels all day
without ever leaving her wagon.
Even though she has much to see,
she is at peace in her indifference.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 26
“She who follows the way of the Tao
will draw the world to her steps.
She can go without fear of being injured,
because she has found peace and tranquility in her heart.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 35
“The supreme good is like water,
which benefits all of creation
without trying to compete with it.
It gathers in unpopular places.
Thus it is like the Tao.
The location makes the dwelling good.
Depth of understanding makes the mind good.
A kind heart makes the giving good.
Integrity makes the government good.
Accomplishment makes your labors good.
Proper timing makes a decision good.
Only when there is no competition will we all live in peace.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 8
“Things are easier to control while things are quiet.
Things are easier to plan far in advance.
Things break easier while they are still brittle.
Things are easier hid while they are still small.
Prevent problems before they arise.
Take action before things get out of hand.
The tallest tree begins as a tiny sprout.
The tallest building starts with one shovel of dirt.
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single footstep.
If you rush into action, you will fail.
If you hold on too tight, you will lose your grip.”
Tao Te Ching, verse 64