The sage does not act and therefore does not fail, does not seize and therefore does not lose.
To retreat after a work well done is Heaven's Way.
Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.
The greatest virtue is to follow the Way utterly.
Those who would take over the earth and shape it to their will, never, I notice succeed.
The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be.