The universe is deathless; Is deathless because, having no finite self, it stays infinite. A sound man by not advancing himself stays the further ahead of himself, By not confining himself to himself sustains himself outside himself: By never being an end in himself he endlessly becomes himself.
LaoziFame of self: Which matters more? Self or wealth: Which is more precious? Gain or loss: Which is more painful?
LaoziGoodness in words creates trust, goodness in thinking creates depth, goodness in giving creates love.
LaoziMen are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.
Laozi