Heaven's Way is like stretching a bow. The high is lowered and the low is raised. Excess is reduced and deficiency is replenished. Heaven's Way reduces excess and replenishes deficiency. People's Way is not so. They reduce the deficient and supply the excessive.

To rejoice in conquest is to rejoice in murder.

When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion. When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won't be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn.

Simple, like uncarved wood.

Develop the strength of a man, but live as gently as a woman

What should be shrunken must first be stretched.

See simplicity in the complicated. Achieve greatness in little things