There is no greater sin than desire, No greater curse than discontent, No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself. Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

When you accurately perceive the fluidity of things, you can also begin to perceive the constancy behind them: the creative, transformative, boundless, immutable Tao.

The river and the sea can be kings of a hundred valleys, because they lie below them.

The people starve because those above them eat too much tax-grain. That is the only reason why they starve.

The progress of the Way seems retreating.

Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.

Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.