Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Worlds and particles, bodies and beings, time and space: All are transient expressions of the Tao.

The tree which needs two arms to span its girth sprang from the tiniest shoot. Yon tower, nine stories high, rose from a little mound of earth. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Force is followed by loss of strength. This is not the way of the Tao. That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end.

The supreme rulers are hardly known by their subjects. The lesser are loved and praised. The even lesser are feared. The least are despised.

The more we give to others, the more we are increased.

The highest virtue is not virtuous. Therefore it has virtue. The lowest virtue holds on to virtue. Therefore it has no virtue.