Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. Be like the Tao. It can't be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed, honored or brought into disgrace. It gives itself up continually. That is why it endures.

The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.

What's the difference between yes and no?

Those who boast are not respected.

The wise man knows he doesn't know.

On the one hand, loss implies gain; on the other hand, gain implies loss.

Those who know are not learned. Those who are learned do not know.