What's the difference between yes and no?

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

In ancient times, those who followed the Way did not try to give people knowledge thereof, but kept them ignorant.

My words have an origin. My deeds have a sovereign. Truly, because people do not understand this, they do not understand me.

Water benefits the ten thousand things and does not oppose them.

The ten thousand things flourish and then each returns to the root from which it came. Returning to the root is stillness. Through stillness each fulfils its destiny.

He who regards many things easy will find many difficulties. Therefore the sage regards things difficult, and consequently never has difficulties.