According to Chinese tradition, Laozi lived in the 6th century BC. Historians variously contend that Laozi is a synthesis of multiple historical figures, that he is a mythical figure, or that he actually lived in the 4th century BC, concurrent with the Hundred Schools of Thought and Warring States Period.

1.A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

2. A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

3. All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

4. An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.

5. Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.

6. At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.

7. Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

8. Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

9. Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

10. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

11. Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.

12. Great acts are made up of small deeds.

13. He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

14. He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.

15. He who is contented is rich.

16. He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.

17. He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.

18. He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.

19. Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.

20. How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?

21. I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.

22. If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

23. If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

24. If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

25. In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.

26. One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.

27. One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.

30. People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.

31. The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in honours.

32. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

33. The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.

34. To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.

35. To see things in the seed, that is genius.

36. Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.

37. When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.