A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

People turn their eyes and ears to him (the sage), and the sage cares for them like his own children.

Heaven's Way gives no favors. It always remains with good people.

The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done. If powerful men and women could venter themselves in it, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace.

The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to yin and yang. Yin and yang give birth to all things... The complete whole is the complete whole. So also is any part the complete whole... But forget about understanding and harmonizing and making all things one. The universe is already a harmonious oneness; just realize it.

Those who stay where they are will endure.

There is no illusion great than fear.