Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. Those who are skilled (in the Tao) do not dispute (about it); the disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know (the Tao) are not extensively learned; the extensively learned do not know it.

A good door needs no lock, still it can't be opened.

Everything will settle in its own place automatically.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.

The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done. If powerful men and women could venter themselves in it, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace.

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.