Obscure, like muddy waters.

When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion. When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won't be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn.

The Tao is unpredictable to those that live according to plans. Only those who have no agenda are in harmony with the Tao.

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is. Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light. What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you don't understand this, you will get lost, however intelligent you are. It is the great secret.

When the government is quite unobtrusive, people are indeed pure. When the government is quite prying, people are indeed conniving.

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.

To know others is to have knowledge. To know yourself is to be enlightened.