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

The True Person benefits yet expects no reward, does the work and moves on. There is no desire to be considered better than others.

The one who is conscious (in Tao) can't speak. The one who can speak is not conscious (centered in Tao)

Happiness perches on misery. Misery crouches beneath happiness.

Surrender your self-interest. Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be entrusted with all things under heaven.

The mark of a moderate man is freedom from his own ideas. Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a tree in the wind, he has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way.

Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice. Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter his heart. Because he has given up helping, he is people's greatest help. True words seem paradoxical.