When taxes are too high, people go hungry. When the government is too intrusive, people lose their spirit. Act for the people's benefit. Trust them; leave them alone.

In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.

People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.

I have three treasures that I cherish. The first is compassion. The second is moderation. The third is not claiming to be first in the world.

The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be.

Taking things lightly must lead to big difficulties.

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.