Lessons from Lao Tsu

 “Kindness in words creates confidence, kindness in thinking creates profoundness and kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching, text 4

Inexhaustible resource.

The Tao is empty, like a bowl.

The Tao never gets full, because there is always drinking from it.

The Tao shines inexhaustibly, the bottom never comes in sight.

Therefore, it seems to be the source of all life.

The Tao brings peace by flattening sharp edges,

by untangling knots and tempering the light.

The Tao unites all the worlds into one.

Hidden in the depths, always present everywhere.

I don't know whose child it is.

Forefather of all we see.

“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

 “To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” – Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching, text 7

Durability.

Heaven lasts long

and the earth continues to exist.

What is the secret of their durability?

Do they hold out for so long because they have no self-interest?

A wise person therefore wants to be at the back.

He finds himself at the front.

A wise man knows no self-interest.

He knows himself connected to everything.

By not acting out of self-interest, you achieve fulfillment.

Tao Te Tjing, tekst 10

Inspire your people.

Feed them.

Inspire them without binding them.

Do your work in silence.

Be a leader, but not a ruler.

This is called the hidden inner power.

Tao Te Ching, text 30

Do not use force.

If you advise a ruler from the Tao,

advise him not to use violence

in his conquests, for violence breeds resistance.

Where an army has passed, thorns spring up.

After a great war, lean years follow.

Do what must be done, but do not enrich yourself in power.

Achieve results,

but don't brag about it.

Achieve results,

for it is the natural way,

Achieve results,

but not by violence.

Violence always leads to a loss of strength.

Violence is not the way of the Tao.

What goes against the Tao comes to an untimely end.

Tao Te Ching, text 33

Real wealth.

If you know others, that's already a lot.

When you know yourself, you are enlightened.

When you conquer others, you are strong.

If you conquer yourself, you are great.

If you're happy, you're rich.

When you act forcefully, you have a will.

If you keep the Tao, you'll last a long time.

When you die, your influence can live on for a long time.