The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.

Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven.

The world's big things only can be done by paying attention to their humble beginnings.

The tree which needs two arms to span its girth sprang from the tiniest shoot. Yon tower, nine stories high, rose from a little mound of earth. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

What man has more than enough and gives it to the world? Only the man of Tao.

The things that have acquired unity are these: Heaven by unity has become clear; Earth by unity has become steady; The Spirit by unity has become spiritual; The Valley by unity has become full; All things by unity have come into existence.

When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.