Tao Te Ching Leadership Quotes

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

He who stands on tiptoe does not stand firm.

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.

The sage does not attempt anything very big, and thus achieves greatness.

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

He who stands on tiptoe
doesn’t stand firm.
He who rushes ahead
doesn’t go far.
He who tries to shine
dims his own light.
He who defines himself
can’t know who he really is.
He who has power over others
can’t empower himself.
He who clings to his work
will create nothing that endures.

The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.

Mask your brightness. Be at one with the dust of the earth. This is primal union.

When taxes are too high, people go hungry. When the government is too intrusive, people lose their spirit. Act for the people’s benefit. Trust them; leave them alone.

A man is born gentle and weak. At death he is hard and stiff.

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

For one gains by losing And loses by gaining.

Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.

Those who are right do not argue. Those who argue are not right.

A brave and passionate man will kill or be killed.
A brave and calm man will always preserve life.
Of these two which is good and which is harmful?

See simplicity in the complicated. Achieve greatness in little things

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.В  The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.В  The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be.