Seal the openings, shut the doors, and until your last day you will not be exhausted. Widen the openings, interfere, and until your last day you will not be safe.

Quarrel with a friend - and you are both wrong.

The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.

Throw away holiness and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times happier. Throw away morality and justice, and people will do the right thing. Throw away industry and profit, and there won't be any thieves. If these three aren't enough, just stay at the center of the circle and let all things take their course.

The sage avoids extremity, excess, and extravagance.

Harmony is called the eternal. Knowing the eternal is called clarity.

The Tao of the sage is work without effort.