The sage wears clothes of coarse cloth but carries jewels in his bosom; He knows himself but does not display himself; He loves himself but does not hold himself in high esteem.
The real art of governing consists, so far as possible, in doing nothing.
Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few.
Returning is the movement of the Way.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
The great Way is all-pervading. It reaches to the left and to the right. All things depend on it with their existence. Still it demands no obedience.