Keeping plenty of gold and jade in the palace makes no one able to defend it.

When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty, There arises the recognition of ugliness. When they all know the good as good, There arises the recognition of evil.

He who has achieved this state Is unconcerned with friends and enemies, With good and harm, with honor and disgrace. This therefore is the highest state of man.

I do not know its name. I call it the Way. For the lack of better words I call it great.

Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.

True words seem false.

The most able seems clumsy.