Correct becomes defect. Good becomes ominous. People's delusions have certainly lasted long.

When great armies go to war, Sorrow is the sole winner.

So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind; Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily; Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness; Sometimes one is up and sometimes down. Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complacency.

Knowing that we don't know it's humility; thinking that we know what we don't know, is sickness.

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking. Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power. Not that it isn't there, but you'll be able to step out of its way. Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.

Take care of what is difficult while it is still easy, and deal with what will become big while it is yet small.

The one who rules like the mother lasts long.