The good man is the teacher of the bad, And the bad is the material from which the good may learn. He who does not value the teacher, Or greatly care for the material, Is greatly deluded although he may be learned. Such is the essential mystery.

The most eloquent seems to stutter.

The virtuous carry out the settlement, but those without virtue pursue their claims.

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.

To delight in conquest is to delight in slaughter.

Act without doing; work without effort. Think of the small as large and the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. The Master never reaches for the great; thus she achieves greatness. When she runs into a difficulty, she stops and gives herself to it. She doesn't cling to her own comfort; thus problems are no problem for her.

My words are very easy to understand and very easy to practice; but there is no one in the world who is able to understand and practice them.