Yet mystery and reality emerge from the same source.

What is well planted will not be uprooted.

People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly.

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking. Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power. Not that it isn't there, but you'll be able to step out of its way. Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.

To the good I would be good; to the not-good I would also be good, in order to make them good.

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil. Therefore having and not having arise together. Difficult and easy complement each other. Long and short contrast each other. High and low rest upon each other. Voice and sound harmonize each other. Front and back follow one another.

When merit has been achieved, do not take it to yourself; for if you do not take it to yourself, it shall never be taken from you.