Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.

If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind.

Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.

Those who praise victory relish manslaughter. Those who relish manslaughter cannot reach their goals in the world.

All men desire to free themselves solely from death; they do not know how to free themselves from life.

Knowing others is to be clever. Knowing yourself is to be enlightened. Overcoming others requires force. Overcoming yourself requires strength.