With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal; shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a vessel of the highest honour.

To delight in conquest is to delight in slaughter.

The mystical techniques for achieving immortality are revealed only to those who have dissolved all ties to the gross worldly realm of duality, conflict, and dogma. As long as your shallow worldly ambitions exist, the door will not open.

When people are unsettled, loyal ministers arise.

To be constantly without desire is the way to have a vision of the mystery of heaven and earth. For constantly to have desire is the means by which their limitations are seen.

A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.

I have three treasures that I cherish. The first is compassion. The second is moderation. The third is not claiming to be first in the world.