Those who defeat others are strong, those who defeat themselves are mighty.

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

Greed for enlightenment and immortality is no different than greed for material wealth. It is self-centered and dualistic, and thus an obstacle to true attainment. Therefore these states are never achieved by those who covet them; rather, they are the reward of the virtuous.

I am wearied, as if I lacked a home to go to.

The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.

He who has achieved this state Is unconcerned with friends and enemies, With good and harm, with honor and disgrace. This therefore is the highest state of man.

Softness triumphs over hardness, feebleness over strength. What is more malleable is always superior over that which is immoveable. This is the principle of controlling things by going along with them, of mastery through adaptation.