Man may rest in the eternal fitness; he may abide in the everlasting; and roam from the beginning to the end of all creation. He may bring his nature to a condition of ONE, he may nourish his strength; he may harmonise his virtue, and so put himself into partnership with God.
All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.
Pursue without interfering.
As it acts in the world, the Tao is like the bending of a bow. The top is bent downward; the bottom is bent up. It adjusts excess and deficiency so that there is perfect balance.
When bitter enemies make peace, surely some bitterness remains.
He who treasures his body as much as the world can care for the world.
Ancient masters of excellence had a subtle essence, and a depth too profound to comprehend.
Those who know are not learned. Those who are learned do not know.
Dignified, like a guest.
Although he travels all day, the sage never loses sight of his luggage carts.
He (the sage) wants all things to follow their own nature, but dares not act.
What the Way is to the world, the stream is to the river and the sea.
Can you make your soul embrace the One and not lose it?
A good speaker does not stutter.
When everyone sees good, then bad exists.
To retreat after a work well done is Heaven's Way.
I alone am different from the others, because I am nourished by the great mother.
Excellent soldiers are not furious.
To be of few words is natural.
The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes.
The truly great ones rely on substance, and not on surface, hold on to the fruit, and not to the flower.
When good thing are accomplished, it does not claim (or name) them. This is Te, which is close in meaning to power or virtue. It is something within a person, and it is enhanced by following the Tao, or 'that from which nothing can deviate'.
The Way is hidden and nameless. Still only the Way nourishes and completes.
Abandon benevolence, discard duty, and people will return to the family ties.
If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country.
