The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

The one who is conscious (in Tao) can't speak. The one who can speak is not conscious (centered in Tao)

Take time to listen to what is said without words, to obey the law too subtle to be written, to worship the unnameable and to embrace the unformed.

The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it.

Knowledge of the eternal is all-embracing. To be all-embracing leads to righteousness, which is majestic.

With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal; shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a vessel of the highest honour.

Who can enjoy enlightenment and remain indifferent to suffering in the world? This is not in keeping with the Way. Only those who increase their service along with their understanding can be called men and women of Tao.