Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools. He uses them only when he has no choice.

The truly great man dwells on what is real and not what is on the surface.

When the Way is lost there is virtue. When virtue is lost there is benevolence. When benevolence is lost there is righteousness. When righteousness is lost there are rituals.

Excellent warriors are not violent.

Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people's faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, We have done it ourselves.

We are all capable of much more than we think we are.

The superior leader keeps informed about everything but interferes hardly at all.