I've collected a lot of Zen/Buddhist/Taoist quotes over the years. Here are a few of my favorites. Okay, it's more than a few:
1. “Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” ~ Chinese Proverb
2. “When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.” ~ Zen Proverb
3. "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." ~ Buddha
4. "Remembering a wrong is like carrying a burden on the mind." ~Buddha
5. “Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.” ~ Alan Watts
6. "Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment." ~ Lao Tzu
7. "One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him." ~ Lao Tzu
8. "Respond intelligently, even to unintelligent treatment." ~ Lao Tzu
9. "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." ~ Dalai Lama
10. "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." ~ Dalai Lama
11. "Whether one believes in a religion or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion." ~ Dalai Lama
12. “All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness. The important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.” ~ Dalai Lama
13. “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” ~ Dalai Lama
14. "No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place." ~ Zen Proverb
15. “Life is like stepping onto a boat which is about to sail out to sea and sink. We may as well enjoy the journey, because the destination is the same for all of us.” ~ Unknown
16. "If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?" ~ Taoist Proverb
17. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Do not resist them, for that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality." ~ Lao-Tzu
