When people do not dread authorities, then a greater dread descends.
To rule by knowledge ravages the country.
As soon as rules were made, names were given. There are already many names. One must know when it is enough.
By not claiming to be first in the world one can rule.
The hard and stiff are death's companions. The soft and weak are life's companions.
When people are unsettled, loyal ministers arise.
The supreme rulers are hardly known by their subjects. The lesser are loved and praised. The even lesser are feared. The least are despised.
When the sage stands above people, they are not oppressed. When he leads people, they are not obstructed. The world will exalt him and not grow tired of him.
The rigid tree will be felled.
Those who are unswerving have resolve
Cultivate virtue in yourself, and it will be true.
The Way is the source of all things, good people's treasure and bad people's refuge.
People starve. The rulers consume too much with their taxes. That is why people starve.
Keeping plenty of gold and jade in the palace makes no one able to defend it.
Seal the openings, shut the doors, and until your last day you will not be exhausted. Widen the openings, interfere, and until your last day you will not be safe.
Wary, as if surrounded by strangers.
Of all things, none does not revere the Way and honor virtue. Reverence of the Way and honoring virtue were not demanded of them, but it is in their nature.
I do not know its name. I call it the Way. For the lack of better words I call it great.
When leading people and serving Heaven, nothing exceeds moderation.
The small is easy to scatter.
The sage's Way is to act and not to contend.
Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.
Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will be safe. Heaven will rescue and protect them with compassion.
The one who is filled by virtue is like a newborn baby.
Good leaders reach solutions, and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force.
