Tao Te Ching Leadership Quotes

• A leader is best when people barely know that he exists.

  Witter Bynner

  Leadership, People, Boss

  95 Copy quote

• 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.

  Laozi

  Inspirational, Leadership, Wisdom

  53 Copy quote

• The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes.

  Tony Blair

  Motivational, Leadership, Art

  72 Copy quote

• Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

  Laozi

  Inspirational, Strength, Being Strong

  194 Copy quote

• The best leaders are those their people hardly know exist.
  The next best is a leader who is loved and praised.
  Next comes the one who is feared.
  The worst one is the leader that is despised ...
  The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly.
  When they have accomplished their task,
  the people say, "Amazing!
  We did it, all by ourselves!

  Laozi

  People, Leader, Tao Te Ching

  60 Copy quote

• True words aren't eloquent; eloquent words aren't true. Wise men don't need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren't wise. The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is. The Tao nourishes by not forcing. By not dominating, the Master leads.

  Laozi

  Leadership, Wise, Men

  144 Copy quote

• Why are the people rebellious? Because the rulers interfere too much. Therefore they are rebellious.

  Laozi

  People, Too Much, Rebellious

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  9 Copy quote

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• Great talents ripen late; the highest notes are hard to hear.

  Laozi

  Teaching, Talent, Notes

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  9 Copy quote

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• A foolish man is always doing, Yet much remains to be done.

  Laozi

  Men, Foolish Man, Done

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  10 Copy quote

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• Deal with it before it happens. Set things in order before there is confusion.

  Laozi

  Order, Confusion, Confusing

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  9 Copy quote

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• Observe how endings become beginnings.

  Laozi

  Tao Te Ching, Tao Ching, Tao Wisdom

  13 Copy quote

• What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not remember this, You will get lost, No matter how intelligent you are. It is the great secret.

  Laozi

  Teacher, Jobs, Intelligent

  9 Copy quote
• 

  Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do not know.

  Laozi

  Education, Tao Te Ching, Intelligence

  Laozi, Lao-Tzu, Stephen Addiss, Stanley Lombardo (2007). “Tao Te Ching”, p.55, Shambhala Publications

  84 Copy quote

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• So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind; Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily; Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness; Sometimes one is up and sometimes down. Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complacency.

  Laozi

  Strength, Breathing, Balance

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  6 Copy quote

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• The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.

  Laozi

  Letting Go, World, Courses

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  25 Copy quote

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• I have three treasures which I hold and keep. The first is mercy; the second is economy. The third is daring not to be ahead of others. From mercy comes courage; from economy comes generosity; From humility comes leadership.

  Laozi

  Humility, Generosity, Treasure

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  13 Copy quote

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

  Laozi

  Inspirational, Life, Summer

  72 Copy quote

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

  Laozi

  Relationship, Respect, Being Yourself

  54 Copy quote

• Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them... If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility. If he would lead them, he must follow behind. In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed.

  Laozi

  Kings, Lying, Humility

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  7 Copy quote

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• Close your mouth,
  block off your senses,
  blunt your sharpness,
  untie your knots,
  soften your glare,
  settle your dust.
  This is the primal identity.

  Laozi

  Block, Dust, Tao Te Ching

  21 Copy quote

• Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.

  Laozi

  Country, Government, Political

  6 Copy quote

• When people see some things as good, other things become bad.

  Laozi

  People, Tao Te Ching, Book Of Tao

  22 Copy quote

• He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.

  Laozi

  Trust, Taoism, Doe

  Laozi (1997). “道德经”, Vintage

  27 Copy quote

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• A great nation is like a great man:When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.Having realized it, he admits it.Having admitted it, he corrects it.He considers those who point out his faultsas his most benevolent teachers.He thinks of his enemyas the shadow that he himself casts.

  Laozi

  Teacher, Mistake, Men

  12 Copy quote

• Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.

  Laozi

  Not Caring, People, Tao Te Ching

  12 Copy quote