The people starve because those above them eat too much tax-grain. That is the only reason why they starve.

Nothing on earth is so weak and yielding as water, but for breaking down the firm and strong it has no equal.

Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.

Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.

Abandon fancy theologies and imaginary ideas and do some ordinary daily work... {Engage in this work with} unswerving kindness and unending patience.

Wear down to be renewed.

The sage attends to the belly, and not to what he sees.