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

Things exalted then decay. This is going against the Way. What goes against the Way meets an early end.

Give up your relentless moralizing, the continual pinpricks which pierce the skin of your fellows. The distinction between good and evil is the sickness of the mind. Give up your morals, and the people will regain a love of their fellows.

The Tao principle is what happens of itself.

Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.

Prepare for the difficult while it is still easy. Deal with the big while it is still small. Difficult undertakings have always started with what easy. Great undertakings always started with what is small. Therefore the sage never strives for the great,And thereby the great is achieved.

Correct becomes defect. Good becomes ominous. People's delusions have certainly lasted long.