Laozi

"Knowing others is information; knowing your real self is true knowledge."

"Stop thinking, and end your problems."

"The more you take, the less you have. The more you give, the more you receive."

"Ambition and lack of ambition both lead astray."

"Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind rest at peace."

"I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, and compassion."

"The sage is shy and humble—to the world she is a hidden treasure."

"When the mind is at rest, all things are in harmony."

"The Master views things with equanimity. She is not constrained by limitation."

"In the world there is no greater sin than desire, no greater curse than discontent, no greater fault than wanting something."

"The creative act is not performed by the artist alone; the spectator brings the work to completion."

"If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself."

"Nature invites us to rest in stillness and simplicity."

"Those who cannot find footing cannot advance; those who cannot see clearly cannot choose their path."

"When the student is ready the teacher will disappear."

"Silence is a source of great strength."

"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

"Throwing out justice, discard law; people become hundred times happier."

"True mastery can be gained by letting things go their own way."

"Do you dare to step back from your own mind and thus understand all things?"

"The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to."

"Guard against the temptation of success; it weakens the character."

"Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because of ugliness."

"A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving."

"Forget knowledge and you will be free of its limitations."

"Do less and accomplish more."

"The Master is content with what is small; with the essence rather than the appearance."

"By dropping your struggle against the world you lose nothing—you gain the world."

"The more you run after success, the more it runs away from you."

"To love all things equally is to ignore that some may harm you."