When the hares have all been caught, the hunting dogs are cooked.
Spokes unite in the hub of a wheel.
To bear and not to own; to act and not lay claim; to do the work and let it go: for just letting it go is what makes it stay.
Simplicity has no name is free of desires. Being free of desires it is tranquil. And the world will be at peace of it’s own accord.
The best of all teachers is the one who helps people so that eventually they don’t need him.
Why are the people rebellious? Because the rulers interfere too much. Therefore they are rebellious.
He who steals a hook shall be hanged; while he who steals the state shall be crowned as prince.
Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.
There is something obscure which is complete before heaven and earth arose; tranquil, quiet, standing alone without change, moving without peril. It could be the mother of everything. Not knowing its name, I call it Tao.
The scholar gains every day; the man of Tao loses every day.
When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty, There arises the recognition of ugliness. When they all know the good as good, There arises the recognition of evil.
If you see what is small as it sees itself, and accept what is weak for what strength it has, and use what is dim for the light it gives then all will go well. This is called Acting Naturally.
All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.
An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.
People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions.
Have patience. Wait until the mud settles and the water is clear. Remain unmoving until right action arises by itself.
That which is achieved the most, still has the whole of its future yet to be achieved.
To lead people, walk behind them.