The greatest teacher has nothing to say. He simply gives himself in service, and never worries.

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. Through this I know the advantage of taking no action.

He who knows himself is enlightened.

Never take over the world to tamper with it. Those who want to tamper with it are not fit to take over the world.

There is something obscure which is complete before heaven and earth arose; tranquil, quiet, standing alone without change, moving without peril. It could be the mother of everything. Not knowing its name, I call it Tao.

The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.

Those who make their living by collecting taxes cause the people to starve; when the people starve, the tax collectors, having no one to tax, starve also