If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country.
Mastering others is strength. Mastering oneself makes you fearless.
The sage knows without traveling, perceives without looking, completes without acting.
Moderation means prevention. Prevention means achieving much virtue.
The most complete seems lacking. Yet in use it is not exhausted.
When the Way is lost there is virtue. When virtue is lost there is benevolence. When benevolence is lost there is righteousness. When righteousness is lost there are rituals.