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.

He (the sage) wants all things to follow their own nature, but dares not act.

He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.

He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that is worn out shall be renewed. He who has little shall succeed. He who has much shall go astray.

Sometimes gain comes from losing, and sometimes loss comes from gaining.

Other people have more than they need, I alone seem wanting.

Nothing and no one in the world is valuable or worthless.