One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.

By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.

Though (the Tao) is uncreated itself, it creates all things. Because it has no substance, it can enter into where there is no space. Exercising by returning to itself, winning victories by remaining gentle and yielding, it is softer than anything, and therefore overcomes everything hard.

The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. A victory should be celebrated with the funeral rite.

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. Through this I know the advantage of taking no action.

In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.

Fine words are traded. Noble deeds gain respect. But people who are not good, why abandon them?