The Dao De Jing
by Laozi
"The Dao De Jing," attributed to Laozi, is a foundational text of Daoism that explores the nature of the Dao (the Way) and emphasizes living in harmony with it. Through poetic verses, it advocates for simplicity, humility, and the value of non-action (wu wei) as a means to achieve balance and wisdom in life. The work critiques rigid moral codes and encourages a deep understanding of the natural world and one's place within it.
10 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Dao De Jing, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
The greatest revelation is stillness.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.
He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
To know the Dao is to have a clear mind.
The soft overcomes the hard.
Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.
The best way to obtain is to give.