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.
The most able seems clumsy.
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.
What should be shrunken must first be stretched.
No misfortune is worse than underestimating the enemy. Underestimating the enemy, I risk losing my treasure.
Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you.
Can you care for the people and rule the country and not be cunning?
Who can rest until the moment of action?
The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies.
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment. For only those who are not full are able to be used which brings the feeling of completeness.
There was something that finished chaos, born before Heaven and Earth.
The sage attends to the belly, and not to what he sees.
If princes and kings were not exalted they might be overthrown.
Words spoken about the Way have no taste. When looked at, there's not enough to see. When listened to, there's not enough to hear. When used, it is never exhausted.
Those who know when it is enough will not perish.
The sage honors his part of the settlement, but does not exact his due from others.
If Heaven and Earth are unable to persist, how could man?
I have three treasures that I cherish. The first is compassion. The second is moderation. The third is not claiming to be first in the world.
The most complete seems lacking. Yet in use it is not exhausted.
It (Tao) is eternally without desire. So, it can be called small. All things return to it, although it does not make itself their ruler. So, it can be called great.
He who holds on to the Way seeks no excess. Since he lacks excess, he can grow old in no need to be renewed.
