By moderation one can be generous.
Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few.
Knowing honor, but clinging to disgrace, you become the valley of the world.
The high must make the low its base.
The highest virtue seems as low as a valley.
The virtuous carry out the settlement, but those without virtue pursue their claims.
By steadily disciplining the animal nature, until it becomes one pointed, it is possible to establish conscious awareness of The Eternal.
The Tao is told is not the Tao.
Those who seek knowledge, collect something every day. Those who seek the Way, let go of something every day.
A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants.
Knowledge of the eternal is all-embracing. To be all-embracing leads to righteousness, which is majestic.
When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises.
Those who have the courage to dare will perish. Those who have the courage not to dare will live.
Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness, untie the knots, dim the light, become one with the dust. This is called the profound union.
Does one scent appeal more than another? Do you prefer this flavor, or that feeling? Is your practice sacred and your work profane? Then your mind is separated: from itself, from oneness, from the Tao.
Develop the strength of a man, but live as gently as a woman.
I observe myself and I come to know others.
The Way that can be walked is not the eternal Way.
Can you comprehend everything in the four directions and still do nothing?
Moderation means prevention. Prevention means achieving much virtue.