The sage wears clothes of coarse cloth but carries jewels in his bosom; He knows himself but does not display himself; He loves himself but does not hold himself in high esteem.

The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it.

When the sage stands above people, they are not oppressed. When he leads people, they are not obstructed. The world will exalt him and not grow tired of him.

A multitude of words is tiresome, unlike remaining centered.

Knowing others is to be clever. Knowing yourself is to be enlightened. Overcoming others requires force. Overcoming yourself requires strength.

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

The real art of governing consists, so far as possible, in doing nothing.