People are considered pure of heart when they do not approach power and pomp; but those who can be near without being affected are the purest of all. People are considered high-minded when they do not know how to plot and contrive; but those who know how yet do not do so are the highest of all.
Do not think about whatever service you may have done for others; think about what you may have done to offend them. Don't forget what others have done for you; forget what others have done to offend you.
When you are constantly hearing offensive words and always have some irritating matter in mind, only then do you have a whetstone for character development. If you hear only what pleases you, and deal only with what thrills you, then you are burying your life in deadly poison.
Compromise to please others is not as good as integrity that annoys others. Rather than be praised without being good, it is better to be slandered without being bad.
In adversity, everything that surrounds you is a kind of medicine that helps you refine your conduct, yet you are unaware of it. In pleasant situations, you are faced with weapons that will tear you apart, yet you do not realize it.
If you fear that people will know if you do something bad, then there is something good in bad. If you are eager for people to know when you do something good, then there is something bad in good.
When people are determined, they can overcome fate; when the will is unified, it can mobilize energy. Enlightened people do not even let nature put them in a set mold.
I used to think that you could find peace and it would always be there. And there is a sense of that. But even in the worst moments, catch yourself and remember that within the storm of misfortune there is good fortune. Just get in practice with what they call in Taoism the Wu-wei; the non-action and becoming the observer of it. Just notice and stay at peace with it. I must have admit, that I still have those really disrupting moments.
I was raised a Christian but have looked at other religions, some of the Eastern things. I was into Taoism for a while and Confucianism. Just different approaches and some have really stayed with me.
The fish cannot leave the deep waters. The state's weaponry should not be displayed.
Let people take death seriously, and not travel far.
Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby?
Can you open and close the gate of Heaven and act like a woman?
Those who are quiet value the words. When their task is completed, people will say: We did it ourselves.
Profound virtue is indeed deep and wide. It leads all things back to the great order.
The whole world says that my Way is great like nothing else. It is great because it is like nothing else. If it were like everything else, it would long ago have become insignificant.
Obscure, like muddy waters.
Although there are weapons for tens and hundreds of soldiers, they will not be used.
Warriors say: I dare not be like the host, but would rather be like the guest. I dare not advance an inch, but would rather retreat a foot.
Excellent conquerors do not engage.
Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.
Weapons are ominous tools. They are abhorred by all creatures. Anyone who follows the Way shuns them.
Battles are followed by years of famine.
Those who advice the ruler on the Way, do not want the world subdued with weapons.
Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life.
