The most difficult in the world must be easy in its beginning.

The Great Tao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right, all things depend on it to exist, and it does not abandon them. To its accomplishments it lays no claims. It loves and nourished all things, but does not lord it over them.

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice.

He who overcomes others has force; he who overcomes himself is strong.

Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil.

There is something obscure which is complete before heaven and earth arose; tranquil, quiet, standing alone without change, moving without peril. It could be the mother of everything. Not knowing its name, I call it Tao.

The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be.