Be content with an ordinary life.

The sense organs, which are limited in scope and ability, randomly gather information. This partial information is arranged into judgments, which are based on previous judgments, which are usually based on someone else's foolish ideas. These false concepts and ideas are then stored in a highly selective memory system.

Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. Be like the Tao. It can't be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed, honored or brought into disgrace. It gives itself up continually. That is why it endures.

When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.

The more laws and orders are multiplied, the more theft and violence increase.

Whatever is flexible and living will tend to grow; whatever is rigid and blocked will wither and die.

Kindness in giving creates love.