People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.

That which shrinks must first expand.

From caring comes courage.

What is well planted will not be uprooted.

Those who take long steps cannot keep the pace.

The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.

The sage seeks freedom from desire. He does not collect precious things. He learns not to hold on to ideas. He brings men back to what they have lost.