The sage seeks freedom from desire. He does not collect precious things. He learns not to hold on to ideas. He brings men back to what they have lost.

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.

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.

Do not strive for the shine of jade, but clatter like stone.

To attain knowledge, add things every day To attain wisdom, remove things every day

The leader is a teacher who succeeds without taking credit. And, because credit is not taken, credit is received.

The further one goes, the less (he realizes he) one knows.