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

He who knows himself is enlightened.

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

Moderation means prevention. Prevention means achieving much virtue.

Accept disgrace willingly... Accept being unimportant... Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things. Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.

The wise stand out because they see themselves as part of the Whole. They shine because they don't want to impress. They achieve great things because they don't look for recognition. Their wisdom is contained in what they are, not their opinions. They refuse to argue, so no-one argues with them.

It is fitting for a great nation to yield.