Men of this world all rejoice in others being like themselves, and object to others not being like themselves.

Heaven does without doing through its purity, Earth does without doing through its calmness.

The non-action of the wise man is not inaction. It is not studied. It is not shaken by anything. The sage is quiet because he is not moved, not because he wills to be quiet. . . . Joy does all things without concern. For emptiness, stillness, tranquillity, tastelessness, silence, and non-action are the root of all things.

All the fish needs is to get lost in the water. All man needs is to get lost in Tao.

Water becomes clear and transparent when in a quiescent stage. How much the more wonderful will be the mind of a sage when poised in quiescence! It is the mirror of heaven and earth, reflecting the ten thousand things.

Luck implies an absolute absence of any principle.

Rewards and punishments are the lowest form of education.