The Way of Tao is this: It strives not, but conquers; It speaks not, but all is made clear; It summons not, but its house is crowded; It contrives not, but the design is perfect.

Without stirring abroad, One can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes The less one knows.

If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil. Therefore having and not having arise together. Difficult and easy complement each other. Long and short contrast each other. High and low rest upon each other. Voice and sound harmonize each other. Front and back follow one another.

Great, it passes on (in constant flow).

The sage has no concern for himself, but makes the concerns of others his own.

The sage desires no desire, does not value rare treasures, learns without learning, recovers what people have left behind.