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Ideas of Laozi (Lao Tzu), by Text

[Chinese, c.580 - 520 BCE, Founder of Taoism. Possibly mythical.]

530BCE

Daodejing (Tao Te Ching)

31

p.125

23401

A military victory is not a thing of beauty

38

p.128

23402

The highest virtue is achieved without effort

I.II.6

p.58

6319

Wise people choose inaction and silence

I.XVII.39

p.73

6320

The best rulers are invisible, the next admired, the next feared, and the worst are exploited

I.XX.47

p.77

6321

Vulgar people are alert; I alone am muddled

II.LVI.128

p.117

6325

One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know

II.LVII.132

p.118

6326

The better known the law, the more criminals there are

II.LXIII.148

p.124

6327

Do good to him who has done you an injury

II.LXXI.173

p.133

6328

To know yet to think that one does not know is best

II.LXXV.181

p.137

6329

People are hard to govern because authorities love to do things

II.LXXV.181a

p.137

6330

One with no use for life is wiser than one who values it

II.LXXXI.194

p.143

6331

Truth is not beautiful; beautiful speech is not truthful

II.XLIX.111

p.110

6324

To gain in goodness, treat as good those who are good, and those who are not

II.XLVI.104

p.107

6322

There is no crime greater than having too many desires

II.XLVII.108

p.109

6323

Pursuit of learning increases activity; the Way decreases it