He does not feel pity for himself - thus he can successfully develop.

Thus an army without flexibility never wins a battle. A tree that is unbending is easily broken.

If princes and kings could follow it (Tao), all things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite and sweet dew would fall. People would by themselves find harmony, without being commanded.

The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people. She is good to people who are good. She is also good to people who aren't good. This is true goodness. She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren't trustworthy. This is true trust. The Master's mind is like space. People don't understand her. They look to her and wait. She treats them like her own children.

Do you think you can make the world a better place? I do not think you can. It is already perfect.

Only those who leisurely approach that which the masses are busy about can be busy about that which the masses take leisurely.

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.