Peace and quiet govern the world.

When armies are mobilized and issues joined, the man who is sorry over the fact will always win.

When a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors. When a country goes counter to the Tao, warheads are stockpiled outside the cities. There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy. Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.

Learn from the people. Plan with the people. Begin with what they have. Build on what they know.

Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.

The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.

People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly.