Last Updated November 21st 2017

The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu or Laozi is well known for the book Tao Te Ching.

Tao Te Ching is a collection of sayings expounding the principal Taoist teachings with maxims and aphorisms.

Lao Tzu was the founder of philosophical Taoism and he is widely respected as a religious deity in various traditional Chinese religious schools of thought.

Beware when using or sharing Lao Tzu quotes!

There are so many misquotes found in many established quotation sites and also published books.

In fact all of the quotes which I published here are gathered from his book “Tao Te Ching“.

Best 5 Lao Tzu Quotations Is The Way

Here are my selected best five Lao Tzu quotations:

“Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment. Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength.” – Lao Tzu

“知人者智，自知者明。勝人者有力，自勝者強。” (Mandarin)

(The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated by Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English, Vintage Books, 1989, 33)

(This quote is also found in: Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated By Gia-fu Feng, Jane English, Knopf, 1972, 33)

(The quote in Mandarin is found here.)

“The journey of a thousand li starts from where one stands.” – Lao Tzu

“千里之行，始於足下。” (Mandarin)

(The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, 1963, 64)

(This quote is also found in: The Way Of Lao Tzu (Tao te ching) By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, Ravenio Books, 2015, 64)

(The quote in Mandarin is found here.)

“He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.” – Lao Tzu

“知者不言，言者不知。” (Mandarin)

(The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, 1963, 56)

(This quote is also found in: The Way Of Lao Tzu (Tao te ching) By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, Ravenio Books, 2015, 56)

(The quote in Mandarin is found here.)

“Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.” – Lao Tzu

“見素抱樸，少私寡欲。” (Mandarin)

(The Way Of Lao Tzu (Tao te ching) By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, Ravenio Books, 2015, 19)

(This quote is also found in: The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, 1963, 19)

(The quote in Mandarin is found here.)

“Seeing what is small is called enlightenment. Keeping to weakness is called strength.” – Lao Tzu

“見小曰明，守柔曰強。” (Mandarin)

(The Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, 1963, 52)

(This quote is also found in: The Way Of Lao Tzu (Tao Te Ching) By Lao Tzu, Translated By Wing-tsit Chan, Macmillan Publishing Company, Incorporated, 1963, 52; p.192)

(The quote in Mandarin is found here.)

Here is a my full selection of authentic Lao Tzu quotes from his book “Tao Te Ching”.

You can find amazing books on Lao Tzu over at Amazon.