The greatest virtue is to follow the Way utterly.

Moderation means prevention. Prevention means achieving much virtue.

To be brave without compassion, generous without moderation, and rule without refraining from being first in the world, are certain deaths.

Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. Those who are skilled (in the Tao) do not dispute (about it); the disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know (the Tao) are not extensively learned; the extensively learned do not know it.

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

If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness.

The words of truth are always paradoxical.