Good leaders reach solutions, and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force.

The first practice is the practice of undiscriminating virtue: take care of those who are deserving; also, and equally, take care of those who are not. When you extend your virtue in all directions without discriminating, you feet are firmly planted on the path that returns to the Tao.

Be humble and you will remain entire. The sages do not display themselves, therefore they shine. They do not approve themselves, therefore they are noted. They do not praise themselves, therefore they have merit. They do not glory in themselves, therefore they excel.

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

Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river.

Be merciful, moderate, and modest.

When the government is quite unobtrusive, people are indeed pure. When the government is quite prying, people are indeed conniving.