Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.

Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding.

People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.

Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over the world.

Don't think you can attain total awareness and whole enlightenment without proper discipline and practice. This is egomania. Appropriate rituals channel your emotions and life energy toward the light. Without the discipline to practice them, you will tumble constantly backward into darkness.

The one who rules like the mother lasts long.

Those who advice the ruler on the Way, do not want the world subdued with weapons.