When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion. When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won't be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn.
Fail to honor people, they fail to honor you.
Because he (the Sage) demands no honor, he will never be dishonored.
The Way is empty, yet inexhaustible, like an abyss!
The Tao is told is not the Tao.
If you want to be given everything, give everything up.
The Way is ever without action, yet nothing is left undone.
Gentleness brings victory to him who attacks, and safety to him who defends. Those whom Heaven would save, it fences round with gentleness.
The most able seems clumsy.
He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.
Why did the ancients praise the Way? Did they not say it was because you find what you seek and are saved from your wrongdoings?
The sage is one with the world, and lives in harmony with it.
Heavy is the root of light.
If people do not revere the Law of Nature It will adversely affect them. If they accept It with knowledge and reverence, It will accommodate them with balance and harmony.
Without going outside, you may know the whole world, without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven. The farther you go, the less you know. Thus the sage knows without traveling; he sees without looking; he works without doing.
What should be shrunken must first be stretched.
Know the white, But keep the black, Be an example to the world! Being an example to the world, Ever true and unwavering, Return to the infinite.
The True Person benefits yet expects no reward, does the work and moves on. There is no desire to be considered better than others.
Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up. Whoever embraces the Tao will not slip away. Her name will be held in honor from generation to generation. Let the Tao be present in your life and you will become genuine. Let it be present in your family and your family will flourish. Let it be present in your country and your country will be an example to all countries in the world. Let it be present in the universe and the universe will sing. How do I know this is true? By looking inside myself.
Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful.
Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can. I wish you Happy New Year and diary full of best stories ever written in your life.
No misfortune is worse than underestimating the enemy. Underestimating the enemy, I risk losing my treasure.
From What-is all the world of things was born But What-is sprang in turn from What-is-not.
Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.