If people are not afraid of dying, why threaten them with death?

To bear the country's disgrace is to rule the shrines of soil and grain. To bear the country's misfortunes is to be the king of the world.

That so few understand me is why I am treasured.

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be.

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.

Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream.

He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue of good.