The Sage expects no recognition for what he does; he achieves merit but does not take it to himself; he does not wish to display his worth.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

The ten thousand things flourish and then each returns to the root from which it came. Returning to the root is stillness. Through stillness each fulfils its destiny.

There is no greater offence than harbouring desires. There is no greater disaster than discontent. There is no greater misfortune than wanting more.

The superior student listens to the Way and follows it closely. The average student listens to the Way and follows some and some not. The lesser student listens to the Way and laughs out loud. If there were no laughter it would not be the Way.

Wear down to be renewed.

In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.