Goodness strives not, and therefore it is not rebuked.

A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female.

Use justice to rule a country. Use surprise to wage war. Use non-action to govern the world.

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

If you can let go of (the Tao) with your mind and surround it with your heart, it will live inside you forever.

Everything will settle in its own place automatically.

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.