The leader is best, When people are hardly aware of his existence, Not so good when people praise his government, Less good when people stand in fear, Worst, when people are contemptuous. Fail to honor people, and they will fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who speaks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, The people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

My words are very easy to understand and very easy to practice; but there is no one in the world who is able to understand and practice them.

The heavy is the root of the light. The tranquil is the ruler of the hasty.

A good traveler leaves no tracks. Good speech lacks fault-finding.

Correct becomes defect. Good becomes ominous. People's delusions have certainly lasted long.

The Tao which you know is not the eternal Tao

You cannot know the body by studying the finger, and you cannot understand the universe by learning one science.