The best soldier does not attack. The superior fighter succeeds without violence. The greatest conqueror wins without struggle. The most successful manager leads without dictating. This is intelligent non aggressiveness.

To know others is to have knowledge. To know yourself is to be enlightened.

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish, too much handling will spoil it.

The heavy is the root of the light. The tranquil is the ruler of the hasty.

In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious, the earth is solid and full, all creature flourish together, content with the way they are, endlessly repeating themselves, endlessly renewed. When man interferes with the Tao, the sky becomes filthy, the earth becomes depleted, the equilibrium crumbles, creatures become extinct. The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as stone.

The wise man puts himself last and finds himself first.

Hold on to the ancient Way to master the present, and to learn the distant beginning.