A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female.

The ten thousand things flourish and then each returns to the root from which it came. Returning to the root is stillness. Through stillness each fulfils its destiny.

Profound virtue is indeed deep and wide. It leads all things back to the great order.

Those who boast are not respected.

Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.

The Master's power is like this. He lets all things come and go effortlessly, without desire. He never expects results; thus he is never disappointed. He is never disappointed; thus his spirit never grows old.

A tree that is unbending, is easily broken.