Arms are instruments of ill omen, not the instruments of the gentleman. When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish.

The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being.

Those who are right do not argue. Those who argue are not right.

Thus an army without flexibility never wins a battle. A tree that is unbending is easily broken.

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.

The sage does not strive to be great. Thereby he can accomplish the great.

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.