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

I alone have the mind of a fool, and am all muddled and vague. The people are so smart and bright. While I am just dull and confused.

The world is a sacred vessel. It should not be meddled with. It should not be owned. If you try to meddle with it you will ruin it. If you try to own it you will lose it

Displaying riches and titles with pride brings about one's downfall.

If the majority doesn't laugh at you, beware that you must be saying something wrong. When the majority thinks you are a fool, only then is there some possibility of you being a wise man.

A tree that can fill the span of a man's arms grows from a downy tip; A terrace nine stories high rises from level earth; A journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath one's feet.

Intelligent people know others. Enlightened people know themselves.