When much virtue is achieved, nothing is not overcome.

Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty when it is still easy, do the great while it is still small. The most difficult things in the world must be done while they are easy; the greatest things in the world must be done while they are small.

The sage is one with the world, and lives in harmony with it.

Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over the world.

Why not simply honor your parents, love your children, help your brothers and sisters, be faithful to your friends, care for your mate with devotion, complete your work cooperatively and joyfully, assume responsibility for problems, practice virtue without first demanding it of others, understand the highest truths yet retain an ordinary manner? That would be true clarity, true simplicity, true mastery.

Those who know when it is enough will not perish.

Virtue in its grandest aspect is neither more nor less than following reason.