There was something formless and perfect before the universe was born. It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present. It is the mother of the universe. For lack of a better name, I call it the Tao. It flows through all things, inside and outside, and returns to the origin of all things. The Tao is great. The universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great. These are the four great powers. Man follows the earth. Earth follows the universe. The universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself.

People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.

Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream.

Why did the ancients praise the Way? Did they not say it was because you find what you seek and are saved from your wrongdoings?

A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.

The separate parts make no carriage.

Who is there who can make muddy waters clear? But if allowed to remain still, it will gradually clear itself.