A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, 'We did this ourselves.'

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, 'We did this ourselves.'

A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions.

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.

Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.

The fish cannot leave the deep waters. The state's weaponry should not be displayed.

To manage your mind, know that there is nothing, and then relinquish all attachment to nothingness.

Because one believes in oneself one doesnt try to convince. Because one is content with oneself one doesnt need others approval. Because one accepts oneself the whole world accepts him or her.

The sage has no concern for himself but makes the concerns of others his own.

Conclusions are ignorance arrested on the path to less ignorance.

Excellent conquerors do not engage.

Goodness in words creates trust goodness in thinking creates depth goodness in giving creates love.

The Tao is hidden and has no name but it is the Tao which is skilful at imparting to all things what they need and making them complete.

Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little.

When family ties are disturbed devoted children arise.

When people do not dread authorities then a greater dread descends.

Pounding an edge to sharpness will not make it last.

Stop leaving and you will arrive Stop searching and you will see Stop running away and you will be found.

Become totally empty. Quiet the restlessness of the mind. Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness.

If you look to others for fulfillment you will never be truly fulfilled.

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

Good leaders reach solutions and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force.

The good leader carries water for his people.

All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.

It is hidden but always present.

The Way is hidden and nameless. Still only the Way nourishes and completes.

The liberation cannot be reached but by means of the perception of the identity of the individual spirit with the universal spirit.

Those who die without being forgotten get longevity.

Sometimes gain comes from losing, and sometimes loss comes from gaining.

Knowledge of the eternal is all-embracing. To be all-embracing leads to righteousness, which is majestic.

The more you know the less you understand.

The noble must make humility his root.

Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.

Nurture the spontaneous peaceful life.

Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.

Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful.

Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there.

A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.

Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. Thus, taking advantage of what is, we recognize the utility of what is not.

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be.

Why are the people rebellious? Because the rulers interfere too much. Therefore they are rebellious.

To rejoice in conquest is to rejoice in murder.

Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear.

Use your own light and return to the source of light. This is called practicing eternity.

Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe.

Being satisfied with little, you can gain much. Seeking much you will go astray. The wise heeds this precept. If it could be so with all people!

Whoever is capable of knowing when they have had enough will always be satisfied.

He (the Sage) does not show off, therefore he shines.