Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.
Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world.
When merit has been achieved, do not take it to yourself; for if you do not take it to yourself, it shall never be taken from you.
ALL things in Nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing. They fulfil their functions and make no claim.
Goodness strives not, and therefore it is not rebuked.
He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that is worn out shall be renewed. He who has little shall succeed. He who has much shall go astray.
He who, conscious of being strong, is content to be weak, he shall be the paragon of mankind. Being the paragon of mankind, Virtue will never desert him. He returns to the state of a little child.
He who is great must make humility his base. He who is high must make lowliness his foundation. Thus, princes and kings in speaking of themselves use the terms “lonely,” “friendless,” “of small account.” Is not this making humility their base?
Thus it is that “Some things are increased by being diminished, others are diminished by being increased.” What others have taught, I also teach; verily, I will make it the root of my teaching.
What makes a kingdom great is its being like a down-flowing river, – the central point towards which all the smaller streams under Heaven converge; or like the female throughout the world, who by quiescence always overcomes the male. And quiescence is a form of humility.
The reason why rivers and seas are able to be lords over a hundred mountain streams, is that they know how to keep below them. That is why they are able to reign over all the mountain streams.
The Sage expects no recognition for what he does; he achieves merit but does not take it to himself; he does not wish to display his worth.
Gentleness brings victory to him who attacks, and safety to him who defends. Those whom Heaven would save, it fences round with gentleness.
To practice virtue is to selflessly offer assistance to others, giving without limitation one’s time, abilities, and possessions in service, whenever and wherever needed, without prejudice concerning the identity of those in need.
Only by working within the laws that govern the flow of water will happiness be achieved.
Hold on to the center and make up your mind to rejoice in this paradise called life.
Do not conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance. Thorns spring up when an army passes. Years of misery follow a great victory. Do only what needs to be done without using violence.
Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.
The Way to do is to be.
He who knows enough is enough will always have enough.