All men desire to free themselves solely from death; they do not know how to free themselves from life.

Do nondoing, strive for non-stiving, savor the flavourless, make much of little, repay enmity with virture; plan for difficulty when it is still easy, do the great while it is still small.

If you practice inaction, nothing will be left undone: For the way to acquire lordship over society is by invariably not interfering.

Hold on to the ancient Way to master the present, and to learn the distant beginning.

The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth.

Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature.

Let people return to making knots on ropes, instead of writing.