Taoism Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old taoism quotes, taoism sayings, and taoism proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Taoism extols the virtue of flexibility. What survives on earth is what effortlessly adapts to the changing environment and changing circumstances. Ernie J Zelinski
Taoism shows us how to deal with life and death by realizing everything here is transitory but its substance is eternal. Frederick Lenz
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 Lao Tzu
To Taoism that which is absolutely still or absolutely perfect is absolutely dead, for without the possibility of growth and change there can be no Tao. In reality there is nothing in the universe which is completely perfect or completely still; it is only in the minds of men that such concepts exist. Alan W. Watts
Taoism means streching your being, becoming both a man and a woman and joining within yourself, to be the heavens themselves, to stretch your awareness beyond the breaking point until all opposites are reconciled within yourself. Frederick Lenz
Taoism is the profoundest nonconformism that has ever been evolved anywhere in the world, at any time in history; essentially it is rebellion. Osho
Taoism ... is the Religion of the Tao, a term meaning Path or Way, but denoting in this peculiar case the way, course or movement of the Universe, her processes and methods. In other words, Taoism is the Religion of Heaven and Earth, of the Cosmos, of the World or Nature in the broadest sense of these words. Hence we may call it Naturism. Jan Jakob Maria de Groot
Taoism has no rules. It's a suggestion for preceiving life in its wholeness, without unnessary categorization, yet enjoying the beauty of categorization. Frederick Lenz
Taoism is not a religion, although perhaps it has been made into one by some people. Lao Tsu's way of life occurs in any spiritual philosophy. Frederick Lenz
Taoism is simply the complete acceptance of yourself as you are right in this moment. It's about rolling with the changes, whether they are perceived as good or bad. Tao reminds us to live life through good actions (important for past karma and karma you are presently creating); through practicing things that engage our mind, body, and spirit. Sheila M. Burke
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you. Lao Tzu
Taoism is the gentle way. The path of least resistence. Frederick Lenz
Taoism as the "art of being in the world," for it deals with the present—ourselves. It is in us that God meets with Nature, and yesterday parts from to-morrow. The Present is the moving Infinity, the legitimate sphere of the Relative. Relativity seeks Adjustment; Adjustment is Art. The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings. Okakura Kakuzō
Lao-tze's Taoism is the exhibition of a way or method of living which men should cultivate as the highest and purest development of their nature. James Legge
But the basic Taoism that we are concerned with here is simply a particular way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens in everyday life. Benjamin Hoff
Taoism is the way of water. The most frequent element or symbol refered to in Lao Tzu's wrtings is the symbol of water. Frederick Lenz
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Lao Tzu
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. Lao Tzu
We go from birth to death. Three out of ten follow life. Three out of ten follow death. People who rush from birth to death are also three out of ten. Why is that so? Because they want to make too much of life. Laozi