The generals have a saying: "Rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see. Rather than advance an inch it is better to retreat a yard." This is called going forward without advancing, pushing back without using weapons. There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil. Thus you destroy your three treasures and become an enemy yourself. When two great forces oppose each other, the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield.

Knowing ignorance is strength; ignoring knowledge is sickness.

Governing a large state is like boiling a small fish.

The sage has no concern for himself, but makes the concerns of others his own.

The wise man looks back into the past, and does not grieve over what is far off, nor rejoice over what is near; for he knows that time is without end.

The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.

He who knows how to be aggressive, and yet remains patient, becomes a receptacle for all of Nature's lessons.