Lao Tzu (also known as Laozi) was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer, traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (or Daoism). He is believed to have lived around the sixth century BC, around the same time as Confucius. Legend says that he worked as a scholar and keeper of the imperial archives for the Zhou dynasty before, fed up with the corruption of society, he headed west on a water buffalo and disappeared, writing the Tao Te Ching, the central text of Taoist thought.Whether Lao Tzu was a single historical figure or a title representing a group of wise thinkers, his influence on Eastern philosophy is widespread. Taoism focuses on living in harmony with the Tao (“the Way”), which is the natural, flowing order of the universe. Rather than forcing things, fighting against reality, or pursuing endless desires, Taoism preaches simplicity, humility, and moving smoothly with the natural rhythms of life.“Time is a created thing. To say, ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to'” is one of Lao Tzu’s most memorable quotes because it is everlasting. This teaches us something that we face every day – someone is giving an excuse of less time and is, in fact, making their priority clear.
Nothing is rushed in nature
In modern Western culture, we think of time as a ticking clock, an inexorable, scarce resource that is constantly being depleted. We divide our days into minutes, set strict schedules and measure our worth based on how productive we are.Lao Tzu and the early Taoists saw the world very differently. He said, “Nothing is hurried in nature, yet everything is done.” The seasons change on their own, trees grow without stress, and rivers flow without forcing their way around obstacles.For a Taoist, nature does not work on a clock; It works on presence and priority. When humans invented clocks, calendars, and rigid daily routines, we created the artificial concept of “not having enough time.” Lao Tzu’s philosophy reminds us that time is not a physical monster stalking us: it is a mental construct that is entirely shaped by what we choose to care about.
timeless quotes on time
This quote is a stark, radical reality check about human agency, responsibility, and priorities.Lao Tzu said that we do not understand the concept of time as some immovable physical barrier like gravity. Time is made of choices. Everyone on Earth gets the same 24 hours in a day. The structure of a day depends on how we want to fill it. When you say, “I wish I had time to exercise,” or “I don’t have time to read,” you are acting as if time is some external boss who rules over you. In fact, you are the creator of your schedule. You make time for the things you value, and you waste time for the things you ignore.Not having time for anything is a lie. If you don’t have time for something, it means you don’t want to do it. Lao Tzu eliminates our excuses. He points out that saying “I don’t have time” is almost always a passive-aggressive translation:“It’s not a high priority for me right now.”“I don’t care enough about it to make room for it.”“I’m not willing to sacrifice anything else to do this.”It forces us to take our own decisions. If you really want to do something, you’ll give up something less important to make room for it.Although this quote seems harsh at first, its deeper purpose is actually liberating. If time were truly a rigid cage beyond your control, you would be a helpless victim of your busy life. But if time is something you create, you hold the keys. You are in complete control of your priorities. Understanding this can help you stop feeling guilty for things you don’t do. Instead of saying, “I don’t have time to learn a language,” you can honestly say, “I’m choosing to focus my energy on my career and family right now, so learning a language is not a priority for me.“That simple change restores your personal agency.