He who is great must make humility his base. He who is high must make lowliness his foundation. Thus, princes and kings in speaking of themselves use the terms "lonely," "friendless," "of small account." Is not this making humility their base?

There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands.

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is.

Knowing honor, but clinging to disgrace, you become the valley of the world.

Misery is what happiness rests upon. Happiness is what misery lurks beneath.

Complete your task. Seek no reward. Make no claims. Without faltering fully choose to do what you must do.

The Eternal generates the One. The One generates the Two. The Two generates the Three. The Three generates all things.