The Wisdom of Lao Tzu

There are those who believe that Lao Tzu, meaning “Old Man” or “Old Teacher” was not a single person but rather an amalgam of many philosophers.

The reason I chose to quote Lao Tzu in this post is the sheer wisdom of the words and phrases some of which spoke directly to my heart.

Here is an example and the first of many that I’ll include in this post,  “When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, The teacher will Disappear.” This quote spoke to me because my therapist with whom I began my healing journey retired in 2015. She had worked hard to get me to the point where she could retire and allow me to heal the rest of the way on my own. She passed the baton to me and for that, I am forever grateful.

Now for some more wisdom from Lao Tzu. As you read them, do so contemplatively and allow yourself to consider how they affect your life.

 

“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.”

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”

 

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

 

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”

“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.”

“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.”

 

 

“Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.”

 

 

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.”

 

 

“He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.

 

 

Silence is a source of great strength.”

 

 

“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.”

 

 

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