A skillful commander is not overbearing. A skillful fighter does not become angry. A skillful conqueror does not compete with people. One who is skillful in using men puts himself below them. This is called the strength to use men. This is called matching Heaven, The highest principle of old.

Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.

The wise man is one who knows what he does not know.

Those who do not trust enough should not be trusted.

A violent wind does not last for a whole morning.

The Tao is great. The universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great. These are the four great powers. Man follows the earth. Earth follows the universe. The universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself.

Sometimes gain comes from losing, and sometimes loss comes from gaining.