When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and after follow each other. Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.

Be as the still mountain; Move like the great river.

Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.

If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country.

Hold on to the center and make up your mind to rejoice in this paradise called life.

A multitude of words is tiresome, unlike remaining centered.

The sage honors his part of the settlement, but does not exact his due from others.