Pain and happiness are simply conditions of the ego. Forget the ego.

What makes a kingdom great is its being like a down-flowing river,--the central point towards which all the smaller streams under Heaven converge; or like the female throughout the world, who by quiescence always overcomes the male. And quiescence is a form of humility.

Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.

Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them... If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility. If he would lead them, he must follow behind. In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed.

When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating.

Prepare while it's easy.

By not claiming to be first in the world one can rule.