Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult; make something big by starting with it when small.

The best way to live / is to be like water / For water benefits all things / and goes against none of them.

To know that you do not know is the best. To pretend to know when you do not know is a disease.

The sage avoids extremity, excess, and extravagance.

Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.

We desire to understand the world by giving names to the things we see, but these things are only the effects of something subtle.

Face the simple fact before it comes involved. Solve the small problem before it becomes big.