A journey of a thousand leagues begins beneath one's feet.

There was something formless and perfect before the universe was born. It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present. It is the mother of the universe. For lack of a better name, I call it the Tao. It flows through all things, inside and outside, and returns to the origin of all things. The Tao is great. The universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great. These are the four great powers. Man follows the earth. Earth follows the universe. The universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself.

Abandon fancy theologies and imaginary ideas and do some ordinary daily work... {Engage in this work with} unswerving kindness and unending patience.

Force is followed by loss of strength. This is not the way of the Tao. That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end.

Water does not force its way.

Abandon wisdom, discard knowledge, and people will benefit a hundredfold.

As soon as rules were made, names were given. There are already many names. One must know when it is enough.