Education
Nothing is known about his education. Probably, he was self-educated.
Giant Laozi in Wuxi Jiangsu China Kindness
Laozi, depicted as a Taoist
Nothing is known about his education. Probably, he was self-educated.
According to popular traditional biographies, he worked as the Keeper of the Archives for the royal court of Zhou. Afterwards, Laozi resigned from his post, perhaps because the authority of Zhou's court was diminishing. Some accounts claim he travelled west on his water buffalo through the state of Qin and from there disappeared into the vast desert. He also was a scholar. Laozi never opened a formal school, but he nonetheless attracted a large number of students and loyal disciples.
Emphasizes self-knowledge, simplicity, spirituality, and openness.
Political theorists influenced by Laozi have advocated humility in leadership and a restrained approach to statecraft, either for ethical and pacifist reasons, or for tactical ends, various anti-authoritarian movements have embraced the Laozi teachings on the power of the weak. The right libertarian economist Murray Rothbard suggested that Laozi was the first libertarian. Left libertarians have been highly influenced by Laozi as well.
The most important thing people can do in life is to gain a state of silent awareness — to open the mind to its source: become totally empty and be still.
He emphasized a specific "Tao" ("the Way") and widened its meaning to an unnameable inherent order or property of the universe: "The way Nature is." He highlighted the concept of wei-wu-wei, or "action through inaction." This does not mean that one should sit around and do nothing, but that one should avoid explicit intentions, strong will, and proactive action; one can reach real efficiency by following the way things spontaneously increase or decrease. Actions taken in accordance with Tao (Nature) are easier and more productive than actively attempting to counter it. Laozi believed that violence should be avoided when possible, and that military victory was an occasion to mourn the necessity of using force against another living thing, rather than an occasion for triumphant celebrations. Laozi also indicated that codified laws and rules result in society becoming more difficult to manage.
Quotations:
Famous quotations of Laozi:
"To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders".
"He who conquers others is strong;
He who conquers himself is mighty".
"He who knows others is learned;
He who knows himself is wise".
"I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures".
"He who knows, does not speak;
He who speaks, does not know".