That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances.

Kind words elicit trust. Kind thoughts create depth. Kind deeds bring love.

The one who does not honor the teacher and the one who does not honor the task, although ever so knowledgeable, they are confused.

Let people return to making knots on ropes, instead of writing.

A follower of the Way (Tao) loses something each day. Loss after loss until arriving at Non Action (Wu Wei).

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

When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and after follow each other. Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.