Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people's faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, We have done it ourselves.

Worlds and particles, bodies and beings, time and space: All are transient expressions of the Tao.

The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.

When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.

The wise does not think that only he is right -thus he knows the truth.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.