Tao Te Ching
THE TAOISM OF LAO TZU

     
     


Tao Quotes on
Nature and the World

Tao Te Ching

Authentic Quotes from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu



Here are quotes from the Tao Te Ching, the Taoist classic by Lao Tzu, about nature and the world. To see the whole quoted chapter, click the chapter link within brackets.


The Book

Tao Quotes — the Ancient Wisdom of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Tao Quotes

The Ancient Wisdom of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. 389 quotes from the foremost Taoist classic, divided into 51 prominent topics. Click the image to see the book at Amazon (paid link).

       More about the book here.


The Way of Nature

Heaven and Earth are not kind. They regard all things as offerings.


Is not the space between Heaven and Earth like a bellows? It is empty, but lacks nothing. The more it moves, the more comes out of it.


All things arise in unison. Thereby we see their return.


All things flourish, and each returns to its source.


Strong winds do not last all morning, hard rains do not last all day.


If Heaven and Earth are unable to persist, how could man?


Man is ruled by Earth. Earth is ruled by Heaven. Heaven is ruled by the Way. The Way is ruled by itself.


What the Way is to the world, the stream is to the river and the sea.


If Heaven were not clear it might rend. If Earth were not firm it might crumble.


All things carry yin and embrace yang. They reach harmony by blending with the vital breath.


Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature.


The river and the sea can be kings of a hundred valleys, because they lie below them.


Leave the World Be

Conquering the world and changing it, I do not think it can succeed.


The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it.


Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over the world.



Tao Quote Categories

Here are the 388 Tao quotes extracted from the Tao Te ching by Lao Tzu, sorted into 19 topics. Each Tao quote has a link to its chapter in the book.

  1. Tao, the Way quotes


  2. Nature and the world quotes


  3. Knowledge and wisdom quotes


  4. Opposites and paradoxes quotes


  5. Non-action and action quotes


  6. Prevention and patience quotes


  7. Moderation and modesty quotes


  8. Humility and compassion quotes


  9. Desire, wealth and greed quotes


  10. Good and bad quotes


  11. Role Models quotes


  12. Simplicity, stillness and silence quotes


  13. Fear and imperfection quotes


  14. The female, child and family quotes


  15. Yielding quotes


  16. Rulers and government quotes


  17. Longevity and death quotes


  18. Seeing clearly quotes


  19. War and violence quotes




My Taoism Books

Click the image to see the book at Amazon (paid link).


Tao Te Ching — The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Tao Te Ching

The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained. The great Taoist philosophy classic by Lao Tzu translated, and each of the 81 chapters extensively commented.

       More about the book here.

Tao Quotes — the Ancient Wisdom of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Tao Quotes

The Ancient Wisdom of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. 389 quotes from the foremost Taoist classic, divided into 51 prominent topics. Click the image to see the book at Amazon (paid link).

       More about the book here.

Fake Lao Tzu Quotes — Erroneous Tao Te Ching Citations Examined. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Fake Lao Tzu Quotes

Erroneous Tao Te Ching Citations Examined. 90 of the most spread false Lao Tzu quotes, why they are false and where they are really from. Click the image to see the book at Amazon (paid link).

       More about the book here.



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Other Books by Stefan Stenudd

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Cosmos of the Ancients. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Cosmos of the Ancients

The Greek philosophers and what they thought about cosmology, myth, and the gods.


QI — increase your life energy. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Qi — Increase Your Life Energy

The life energy qi (also chi or ki) explained, with exercises on how to awaken, increase and use it.


Aikido Principles. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Aikido Principles

Basic concepts of the peaceful martial art. Aikido principles, philosophy, and fundamental ideas.


Life Energy Encyclopedia. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Life Energy Encyclopedia

Qi, prana, spirit, ruach, pneuma, and many other life forces around the world explained and compared.


Archetypes of Mythology. Book by Stefan Stenudd. Archetypes of Mythology

Jungian theories on myth and religion examined, from Carl G. Jung to Jordan B. Peterson.


Stefan Stenudd, Swedish author of fiction and non-fiction. Stefan Stenudd


About me

I'm a Swedish author and aikido instructor. In addition to fiction, I've written books about Taoism and other East Asian traditions. I'm also an historian of ideas, researching ancient thought and mythology. Click the image to get to my personal website.

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