Tao Te Ching
THE TAOISM OF LAO TZU

     
     


Tao Quotes on
Longevity and Death

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 longevity and death. 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.


Longevity

Those who die without being forgotten get longevity.


We go from birth to death. Three out of ten follow life. Three out of ten follow death. People who rush from birth to death are also three out of ten. Why is that so? Because they want to make too much of life.


I have heard that the one who knows how to live can wander through the land without encountering the rhinoceros or the tiger. He passes the battlefield without being struck by weapons. In him, the rhinoceros finds no opening for its horn. The tiger finds no opening for its claws. The soldiers find no opening for their blades. Why is that so? Death has no place in him.


Filling life exceedingly is called ominous.


Things exalted then decay. This is going against the Way. What goes against the Way meets an early end.


Life and Death

There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands.


People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly.


Truly, only acting without thought of one’s life is superior to valuing one’s life.


People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff.


All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.


The hard and stiff are death’s companions. The soft and weak are life’s companions.


Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.



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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