Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.

The people starve because those above them eat too much tax-grain. That is the only reason why they starve.

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.

They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.

Be humble and you will remain entire. The sages do not display themselves, therefore they shine. They do not approve themselves, therefore they are noted. They do not praise themselves, therefore they have merit. They do not glory in themselves, therefore they excel.

The world's big things only can be done by paying attention to their humble beginnings.

In the highest antiquity, the people did not know that there were rulers. In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them.