Clay is fashioned into vessels; it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a dwelling, and on the empty space within, its use depends. Thus, while the existence of things may be good, it is the non-existence in them that makes them serviceable.

Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear.

True words seem false.

Rituals are the end of fidelity and honesty, and the beginning of confusion.

To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!

What is a good man? A teacher of a bad man. What is a bad man? A good man's charge?

Creating without claiming, Doing without taking credit, Guiding without interfering, This is Primal Virtue.