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

Few things under heaven bring more benefit than the lessons learned from silence and the actions taken without striving.

It (Tao) is eternally without desire. So, it can be called small. All things return to it, although it does not make itself their ruler. So, it can be called great.

What the Way is to the world, the stream is to the river and the sea.

Therefore, if a great kingdom humbles itself before a small kingdom, it shall make that small kingdom its prize. And if a small kingdom humbles itself before a great kingdom, it shall win over that great kingdom. Thus the one humbles itself in order to attain, the other attains because it is humble. If the great kingdom has no further desire than to bring men together and to nourish them, the small kingdom will have no further desire than to enter the service of the other. But in order that both may have their desire, the great one must learn humility.

To know others is to have knowledge. To know yourself is to be enlightened.

The eye with which you see God is the same eye with which God sees you; one in seeing; one in knowing; one in loving.