When a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors. When a country goes counter to the Tao, warheads are stockpiled outside the cities. There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy. Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.

The Great Vessel takes long to complete.

Those who make their living by collecting taxes cause the people to starve; when the people starve, the tax collectors, having no one to tax, starve also

Fine words are traded. Noble deeds gain respect. But people who are not good, why abandon them?

Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.

He who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.

Live simply and virtuously, true to your nature, drawing no line between what is spiritual and what is not.