Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature.

Let muddy water stand and it will become clear.

Free from desire, you realize the mystery, caught in the desire, you see only the manifestations.

As it acts in the world, the Tao is like the bending of a bow. The top is bent downward; the bottom is bent up. It adjusts excess and deficiency so that there is perfect balance.

If you practice inaction, nothing will be left undone: For the way to acquire lordship over society is by invariably not interfering.

First, we must do our own personal work, then we tend the necessary work of our family, then our community, then the world.

The Sage expects no recognition for what he does; he achieves merit but does not take it to himself; he does not wish to display his worth.