Interested in Tao Te Ching quotes on living a simple life? You’ve come to the right place! Several years ago, I read a book with 81 verses of the Tao Te Ching written by Lao Tzu. I remember writing lots of quotes down in my journal while walking on my treadmill, next to the window in our bedroom. I’m not sure why that memory is so vivid (or what kind of workout I got) except that the verses were too powerful to forget.
I’ve thought about those quotes on and off throughout the years and just recently read something that piqued my interest again. It said the Tao Te Ching teaches you to “go with the flow” of life.
My mom, Marvel, the inspiration for Living Marvelously, always said, “go with the flow.” Sometimes it was really annoying, and other times it was just what I needed to hear. Loosely translated, I think she told me to quit getting so worked up and make life simple. Follow the flow of joy.
So, I decided I needed to look up my favorite Tao Te Ching quotes again because, of course, I can’t find the book or my notes from way back on my treadmill. This time I better put them somewhere I can’t lose them – on my blog.
The Tao
The Tao is a Chinese word signifying the “way,” “path,” “route,” “road,” or sometimes more loosely “doctrine,” “principle,” or “holistic beliefs.”
The Tao can be roughly thought of as the flow of the Universe or as some essence or pattern behind the natural world that keeps the Universe balanced and ordered.
I found this great article, “Taoism 101,” if you want to learn more about it. In it, he says:
The path of understanding Taoism is simply accepting oneself. This leads to inner peace. Live life and discover who you are. Your nature is ever-changing and is always the same. Don’t try to resolve the various contradictions in life, instead learn acceptance of your nature.
Taoism teaches a person to flow with life.
The Tao Te Ching (one translation is “Living and Applying the Great Way”) actually consists of 81 verses written by Lao Tzu and have been translated by hundreds of people. Eventually, those translations became much easier to read Tao Te Ching quotes.
If you are looking for some inspiration and motivation to live a simpler, more peaceful, and authentic life, I think you will love these powerful Tao Te Ching quotes too.
25 Powerful Tao Te Ching Quotes by Lao Tzu
The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
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.
One who is too insistent on his own views finds few to agree with him.
Act without expectation.
By letting it go, it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.
To the mind that is still, the whole Universe surrenders.
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.
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
When you are content to be yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
At the center of your being, you have the answer; you know who you are, and you know what you want.
Remind yourself daily; there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.
The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.
Only when we are sick of our sickness shall we cease to be sick.
Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity.
If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.
To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.
Tao says… in thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. When leading, don’t try to control. At work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
Fill your bowl to the brim, and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife, and it will blunt. Chase after money and security, and your heart will never unclench. Care about other people’s approval, and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back—the only path to serenity.
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.
So now I have these Tao Te Ching quotes to come back to from time to time when I am feeling resistance in my life. A powerful reminder to live and to go with the flow. Thank you, mom, for repeatedly instilling this in my mind!
Which Tao Te Ching quotes resonate most with you?