The liberation cannot be reached but by means of the perception of the identity of the individual spirit with the universal spirit.

The sage never strives for the great, and thereby the great is achieved.

Some have lavish garments, carry sharp swords, and feast on food and drink. They possess more than they can spend. This is called the vanity of robbers. It is certainly not the Way.

A man is born gentle and weak. At death, he is hard and stiff. Green plants are tender and filled with sap. At death, they are withered and dry. Therefore, the stiff and unbending is the disciple of death, and the gentle and yielding is the disciple of life.

The sage regards things as difficult, and thereby avoids difficulty.

There is nothing softer and weaker than water, and yet there is nothing better for attacking hard and strong things.

The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao.