Lao Tzu - The old master and father of Taoism

About Lao Tzu

Most of us know him as author for the masterpice "Tao Te Ching" also called "Laozi".
It's because of "Tao Te Ching", he is traditionally considered the philosophical Taoism founder.

Lao Tzu statue photo by Blackobull

Tao Te Ching is based on the Tao (The Way), which is the creator and sustainer of all things in the Universe, and the practice of doing by nondoing (wu-wei) that enables the disciple to unite with the Tao.

Historians are not mutually agreed about the legendary Laozi/Lao Tzu. Some believe that he is a synthesis of a number of historical figures and others that he is a mythical figure.

Other names he goes by:

• Lao Zi
• Lao-Zi
• Laozi
• Lao Tsu
• Lao Tzu
• Lao Tse

Qick facts/myths:

• According to Chinese legend, Laozi left China for the west on a water buffalo.
• A legendary Chinese thinker and a wise man who should have lived around the 6th century BC .
• Some people belive that he came from the village of Chu Jen in Chu.
• At the western gate of the city (or kingdom), he was recognized by the guard Yinxi. The sentry asked the old master to record his wisdom for the good of the country before he would be permitted to pass.
• He then composed in 5,000 characters the Tao Te Ching (The Way and Its Power).
• Tao Te Ching was the only book he wrote before he walked away from the Chou empire that he served.
• A well known myth claim that he was reborn 13 times after his first life during the days of Fuxi. In his last incarnation as Laozi, he lived nine hundred and ninety years and spent his life traveling to reveal the Tao.
• According to legend, Lao Tzu was keeper of the archives at the imperial court.
• The Taoist philosophy can perhaps best be summed up in a quote from Chuang Tzu (nr. 5)

Famous quotes by Lao Tzu:

1. "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"

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

3. "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"

4. "Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power"

5. "To regard the fundamental as the essence, to regard things as coarse, to regard accumulation as deficiency, and to dwell quietly alone with the spiritual and the intelligent - herein lie the techniques of Tao of the ancients"

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

7. "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage"

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

9. "Silence is a source of great strength"

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

11. "Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment"

12. "Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good"

13. "When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you"

14. "He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know"

15. "A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving"

16. "Music in the soul can be heard by the universe"

17. "Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses"

18. "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"

19. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step"

20. "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 the winning"

21. "When the best leader’s work is done the people say: We did it ourselves"

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

23. "To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders"

Related links:

Lao Tzu: Father of Taoism

Laozi - Wikipedia

Buy a book about Lao Zi (not affiliated)