Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habit.

He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.

People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff.

Man is ruled by Earth. Earth is ruled by Heaven. Heaven is ruled by the Way. The Way is ruled by itself.

Good leaders reach solutions, and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force.

Make the small big and the few many.

The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done. If powerful men and women could venter themselves in it, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace.