The inner master, when confronted with an obstacle, uses it as fuel, like a fire which consumes things that are thrown into it. A small lamp would be snuffed out, but a big fire will engulf what is thrown at it and burn hotter; it consumes the obstacle and uses it to reach a higher level.

Always run to the short way; and the short way is the natural: accordingly say and do everything in conformity with the soundest reason. For such a purpose frees a man from trouble, and warfare, and all artifice and ostentatious display.

Purge your mind of all aimless and idle thoughts, especially those that pry into the affairs of others or wish them ill.

Dig inside. Inside is the fountain of good, and it will forever flow, if you will forever dig.

Love only what befalls you and is spun for you by fate.

Everything is in a state of metamorphosis. Thou thyself art in everlasting change and in corruption to correspond; so is the whole universe.

People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time-even when hard at work.