Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. . . . Thus, taking advantage of what is, we recognize the utility of what is not.

The sage honors his part of the settlement, but does not exact his due from others.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.

Understand this if nothing else: spiritual freedom and oneness with the Tao are not randomly bestowed gifts, but the rewards of conscious self-transformation and self-evolution.

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

Force is followed by loss of strength. This is not the way of the Tao. That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end.

The subtlest of subtleties, this is the gateway to all mysteries.