The knowledge of the ancients reached the highest point-the time before anything existed. This is the highest point. It is exhaustive. There is no adding to it.

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.

Listening stops with the ears, the mind stops with recognition, but spirit is empty and waits on all things.

Those who realise their folly are not true fools.

Everything has what is innate,everything has what is necessary.

You cannot speak of ocean to a well-frog, the creature of a narrower sphere. You cannot speak of ice to a summer insect, the creature of a season.

The fish trap exists because of the fish: once you have gotten the meanings, you can forget the words.