Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.

Do not fear the aging of the body for it is the body's way of seeking the root.

He who steals a hook shall be hanged; while he who steals the state shall be crowned as prince.

How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?

Who is there who can make muddy waters clear? But if allowed to remain still, it will gradually clear itself.

Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.

Although he travels all day, the sage never loses sight of his luggage carts.