The Philosopher Lao Tzu and his Inspirational Quotes

Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher renowned for his inspirational teachings and revered by the Daoists. Legend has it that Lao Tzu was conceived when his mother saw a shooting star. It’s also widely believed that he lived for 990 years (although unlikely to be true).

He lived in 6th century BC, blessed with an abundance of spiritual energy. Sometimes known as Laozi or Lao Tze, he worked as record keeper in the Chinese Zhou Dynasty court.

It was well-known that the dynastic court of Zhou was corrupt and Lao Tzu grew tired of the discord so decided to leave. It is believed that he travelled on the back of a water buffalo which took him to the Western borders of China.

Lao Tzu Quote Thoughts and destinyThere, he wrote a sacred text called “Tao Te Ching”, a famous philosophical book which has to this day inspired millions of people and was the text that Daoism based its beliefs.

After he wrote his book, he crossed over the Chinese border and is rumoured to have led the rest of his life living as a hermit. It is even believed that Confucius was a student of Lao Tzu.

The text of Tao Te Ching has been passed down for two thousand years and is still read today. There are half a billion Daoists in the world that chant scriptures, meditate and worship a number of different gods and goddesses. Lao Tzu is one of their inspirational role models and his texts honoured, especially his religious titles such as “Supremely Mysterious and Primordial Emperor”.

Lao Tzu Quote HealthLao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching scriptures are almost biblical and used as an instruction guide on how to live a good life. It discusses the paths to happiness, harmony and virtue and offers advice on how to take a simple path to contentment. The suggestions that

Lao Tzu makes are actually very simple and many people live a fruitful, contented life by following his teachings.

You can read and absorb some Lao Tzu quotes here and perhaps use them as the basis to living a happier, more fulfilling life. In fact, many people do believe that his quotes offer clarity when life feels clouded.

Lao Tzu Quotes To Inspire

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.



Stop thinking and end your problems.

Lao Tzu Quote what others thinkWhen I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.




An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.

Lao Tzu Quote Dreams

Lao Tzu Quotes On Leadership



Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.

Lao Tzu Quote living in the presentThe career of a sage is of two kinds: He is either honored by all in the world, like a flower waving its head, Or else he disappears into the silent forest.

To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

Be the chief but never the lord.

To lead people walk behind them.


To see things in the seed, that is genius.







Lao Tzu Quote on GivingConfidence is the greatest friend.





Lao Tzu Quotes On Happiness

He who is contented is rich.


He who knows himself is enlightened.

Lao Tzu Quote on RespectHe who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.



Lao Tzu Quotes On Death

  2. New beginnings are disguised as painful endings.
  3. Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.

Lao Tzu Quotes On Love

  2. The heart that gives, gathers.
  3. Make your heart like a lake with a calm still surface and great depths of kindness.
  5. Because of a great love, one is courageous.
  6. From caring comes courage.

Lao Tzu Quotes On Journeying

  1. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
  2. A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

Lao Tzu Quotes On Life

Silence is a source of great strength.


Act without expectation.

He who talks more is sooner exhausted.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.







Lao Tzu Quote KindnessUse the light that is within you to revert to your natural clearness of sight.

Empty yourself of everything – let the mind become still.
By letting go, it all gets done.






Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Without stirring abroad, one can know the whole world; without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes the less one knows.



He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.


Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.

Lao Tzu Quotes On Respect



Lao Tzu Quotes On Kindness

  1. Great acts are made up of small deeds.
  3. He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.
