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

I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river.

If the Way is made clear, it is not the Way.

When deeds and words are in accord, the whole world is transformed.

The Way is to man as rivers and lakes are to fish, the natural condition of life.

When an archer is shooting for nothing, he has all his skill. If he shoots for a brass buckle, he is already nervous. If he shoots for a prize of gold, he goes blind or sees two targets - He is out of his mind! His skill has not changed. But the prize divides him. He cares. He thinks more of winning than of shooting- And the need to win drains him of power.

Heaven does nothing: its non-doing is its serenity. Earth does nothing: its non-doing is its rest. From the union of these two non-doings All actions proceed. All things are made. How vast, how invisible This coming-to-be! All things come from nowhere! How vast, how invisible No way to explain it! All beings in their perfection Are born of non-doing. Hence it is said: Heaven and earth do nothing Yet there is nothing they do not do. Where is the man who can attain To this non-doing?