What is firmly rooted cannot be pulled out

The best form of leadership is to be conscious of the leadership potential with the followers and to let them unleash this potential in a spontaneous way. When a great leader accomplishes this task with effortless ease, the followers say, "We did it ourselves."

Open yourself to the truth, then trust in your natural responses, and everything will fall into place.

The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms.

You should rule a great country As you would fry a small fish- With the least turning.

Purity and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven.

Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more sacred than simply breathing. . . . If you wish to attain oneness with the Tao, don't get caught up in spiritual superficialities.