The best soldiers are not warlike; the best fighters do not lose their temper. The greatest conquerors are those who overcome their enemies without strife. The greatest directors of men are those who yield place to others. This is called the Virtue of not striving, the capacity for directing mankind; this is being the compeer of Heaven. It was the highest goal of the ancients.

The great image lacks shape.

Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few.

Accept disgrace willingly... Accept being unimportant... Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things. Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.

Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil.

Tao invariably takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone.

Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose.