The sage acts by doing nothing.

Fail to honor people, they fail to honor you.

Softness triumphs over hardness, feebleness over strength. What is more malleable is always superior over that which is immoveable. This is the principle of controlling things by going along with them, of mastery through adaptation.

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

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.

Simply see that you are at the center of the universe, and accept all things and beings as parts of your infinite body. When you perceive that an act done to another is done to yourself, you have understood the great truth.

Can you care for the people and rule the country and not be cunning?