Laozi

“let people return to the use of knots and be satisfied with their food and pleased with their clothing and content with their homes and happy with their customs let there be another state so near people hear its dogs and chickens but live out their lives without making a visit”

“People are difficult to be ruled, Because the ruler governs with personal desire and establishes too many laws to confuse the people.”

“People starved because the ruler taxed too heavily.”

“When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.”

“Every journey begins with a single step.”

“A thousand-mile journey starts from your feet down there.”

“A journey of a thousand miles started with a first step.”

“A journey of a thousand [miles] starts with a single step.”

“Governing a large country is like frying a small fish.”

“He who knows does not speak; he who speaks does not know.”

“Block the passages, shut the doors, And till the end your strength shall not fail. Open up the passages, increase your doings, And till your last day no help shall come to you.”

“To attain knowledge, add things every day.To attain wisdom, remove things every day.”

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try, the world is beyond the winning.”

“He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”

“Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, take it and practice it earnestly. Scholars of the middle class, when they hear of it, take it half earnestly. Scholars of the lowest class, when they hear of it, laugh at it. Without the laughter, there would be no Tao.”

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is. Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light.”

“There is a thing inherent and natural, Which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted. It may be regarded as the Mother of the Universe. I do not know its name. If I am forced to give it a name, I call it Tao, and I name it as supreme.”

“Therefore the Sage embraces the One,And becomes the model of the world.He does not reveal himself,       And is therefore luminous.He does not justify himself,       And is therefore far-famed.He does not boast himself,       And therefore people give him credit.He does not pride himself,       And is therefore the ruler among men.It is because he does not contendThat no one in the world can contend against him.”

“Since before time and space were, the Tao is. It is beyond is and is not. How do I know this is true? I look inside myself and see.”