This is my pick on the best 5 Lao Tzu quotations.
The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu or Laozi is well known for the book Tao Te Ching.
Tao Te Ching is a collection of sayings expounding the principal Taoist teachings with maxims and aphorisms.
Lao Tzu was the founder of philosophical Taoism and he is widely respected as a religious deity in various traditional Chinese religious schools of thought.
Beware when using or sharing Lao Tzu quotes!
There are so many misquotes found in many established quotation sites and also published books.
In fact all of the quotes which I published here are gathered from his book “Tao Te Ching“.
This book is the only source of authentic Lao Tzu or Laozi quotes.
But there are different interpretations and translations in English language.
Best 5 Lao Tzu Quotations Is The Way
Here are my selected best five Lao Tzu quotations:
“Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment. Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength.” – Lao Tzu
“知人者智，自知者明。勝人者有力，自勝者強。” (Mandarin)
(The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated by Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English, New York: Vintage Books, 1989, 33)
Another translation is:
“Those who understand others are intelligent
Those who understand themselves are enlightened
Those who overcome others have strength
Those who overcome themselves are powerful.” – Lao Tzu
(Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, Translation And Annotation By Derek Lin, Woodstock, Vermont: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2006, 33) source
(The quote in Mandarin is found .)
“The journey of a thousand li starts from where one stands.” – Lao Tzu
“千里之行，始於足下。” (Mandarin)
(The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, 1963, 64, P. 214) source
Another translation is:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath the feet.” – Lao Tzu
(Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, Translation And Annotation By Derek Lin, Woodstock, Vermont: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2006, 64) source
(The quote in Mandarin is found .)
“He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.” – Lao Tzu
“知者不言，言者不知。” (Mandarin)
(The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, 1963, 56)
Another translation is:
“Those who know do not talk, those who talk do not know.” – Lao Tzu
(Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, Translation And Annotation By Derek Lin, Woodstock, Vermont: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2006, 56) source
(The quote in Mandarin is found .)
“Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.” – Lao Tzu
“見素抱樸，少私寡欲。” (Mandarin)
(The Way Of Lao Tzu (Tao te ching) By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, Ravenio Books, 2015, 19)
Another translation is:
“Show plainness; hold simplicity, reduce selfishness; decrease desires.” – Lao Tzu
(Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, Translation And Annotation By Derek Lin, Woodstock, Vermont: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2006, 19, P. 39) source
(The quote in Mandarin is found .)
“Seeing what is small is called enlightenment. Keeping to weakness is called strength.” – Lao Tzu
“見小曰明，守柔曰強。” (Mandarin)
(The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, 1963, 52)
Another translation is:
“Seeing details is called clarity, holding on to the soft is called strength.” – Lao Tzu
(Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, Translation And Annotation By Derek Lin, Woodstock, Vermont: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2006, 52) source
(The quote in Mandarin is found .)
Here is a my full selection of authentic Lao Tzu quotes from his book “Tao Te Ching“.
Here is a big free collection of various English translations of Tao Te Ching:
The Sayings Of Lao Tzu By Lionel Giles
Tao Te Ching By Stephen Mitchell
Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching: A Book About The Way And The Power Of The Way By Ursula K. Le Guin
The Book Of The Simple Way Of LaoTze By Walter Gorn Old
Lao Tzu’s Ta-Teh-Ching: A Parallel Translation Collection Compiled By B. Boisen
The way Of Life According To Laotzu: An American Version By Witter Bynner
Note: The above book “The way Of Life According To Laotzu: An American Version” by Witter Bynner is only for borrowing only.
If you want to download and save it for your own keeping, then find out how to do it from “How To Save Internet Archive Borrow Boos: 1 Hour And 14 Days“.