When everyone in the world sees beauty, then ugly exists.

The Tao is great. The universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great. These are the four great powers. Man follows the earth. Earth follows the universe. The universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself.

Softness triumphs over hardness, feebleness over strength. What is more malleable is always superior over that which is immoveable. This is the principle of controlling things by going along with them, of mastery through adaptation.

Rituals are the end of fidelity and honesty, and the beginning of confusion.

When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.

Kindness in thought leads to wisdom. Kindness in speech leads to eloquence. Kindness in action leads to love.

The scholar gains every day; the man of Tao loses every day.