A great country needs more people to serve it. A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, the great country ought to yield.

The sage does not act and therefore does not fail, does not seize and therefore does not lose.

The sage is sharp but does not cut, pointed but does not pierce, forthright but does not offend, bright but does not dazzle.

Before healing others, heal yourself

There was something formless and perfect before the universe was born. It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present. It is the mother of the universe. For lack of a better name, I call it the Tao. It flows through all things, inside and outside, and returns to the origin of all things. 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.

On the one hand, loss implies gain; on the other hand, gain implies loss.

Those who are quiet value the words. When their task is completed, people will say: We did it ourselves.