Take [preventive] action before things happen. Establish order before disorder has begun.

The truly wise are content to be last. They are, therefore, first. They are indifferent to themselves. They are, therefore self-confident.

Keeping plenty of gold and jade in the palace makes no one able to defend it.

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

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

Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature.

The softest of stuff in the world, penetrates quickly the hardest, insubstantial, it enters where there is no room.