Things are not worth attending to, yet they have to be attended to.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

When much virtue is achieved, nothing is not overcome.

A man is born gentle and weak. At death, he is hard and stiff. Green plants are tender and filled with sap. At death, they are withered and dry. Therefore, the stiff and unbending is the disciple of death, and the gentle and yielding is the disciple of life.

If you practice inaction, nothing will be left undone: For the way to acquire lordship over society is by invariably not interfering.

Peace and quiet are preferred. Victory should not be praised.

[The Master] doesn't glitter like a jewel... [but is] as rugged and common as a stone.