Distortion upon distortion: . . . the more one uses the mind, the more confused one becomes.
Act without striving. Work without interfering. Find the flavour in what is flavourless.
A man is born gentle and weak. At death he is hard and stiff.
Abandon knowledge and your worries are over.
If you can find true contentment, it will last forever.
When the great Tao is forgotten, goodness and piety appear. When the body's intelligence declines, cleverness and knowledge step forth. When there is no peace in the family, filial piety begins. When the country falls into chaos, patriotism is born.