But in the present day men cast off gentleness, and are all for being bold; they spurn frugality, and retain only extravagance; they discard humility, and aim only at being first. Therefore they shall surely perish.

[The Master] doesn't glitter like a jewel... [but is] as rugged and common as a stone.

Tao is beyond words and beyond understanding. Words may be used to speak of it, but they cannot contain it. Tao existed before words and names, before heaven and earth, before the ten thousand things. It is the unlimited father and mother of all limited things. Therefore, to see beyond boundaries to the subtle heart of things, dispense with names, with concepts, with expectations and ambitions and differences. Tao and its many manifestations arise from the same source: subtle wonder within mysterious darkness. This is the beginning of all understanding.

When everyone sees good, then bad exists.

Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few.

Those who have the courage to dare will perish. Those who have the courage not to dare will live.

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.