Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.
If one desires to receive one must first give. This is called profound understanding.
The sage is one with the world, and lives in harmony with it.
One cannot reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.
The greatest virtue is to follow the Way utterly.
But in the present day men cast off gentleness, and are all for being bold; they spurn frugality, and retain only extravagance; they discard humility, and aim only at being first. Therefore they shall surely perish.