The greatest virtue is to follow the Way utterly.

Treat the large as the small and the few as the many.

I have three treasures that I cherish. The first is compassion. The second is moderation. The third is not claiming to be first in the world.

Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear?

To know people is wisdom, but to know yourself is enlightenment. to master people takes force, but to master yourself takes strength. to know contentment is wealth, and to live with strength resolve. to never leave whatever you are is to abide, and to die without getting lost- that is to live on and on.

Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.

People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.