Praise and disgrace cause fear.
Correct becomes defect. Good becomes ominous. People's delusions have certainly lasted long.
People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.
When you extend your goodwill in every direction, regardless of circumstances, you begin to see that we are all one.
The Wise Man is square but not sharp, honest but not not malign, straight but not severe, bright but not dazzling.
Because clarity and enlightenment are within your own nature, they are regained without moving an inch.
A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.
Knowing ignorance is strength; ignoring knowledge is sickness.
The Way of Tao is this: It strives not, but conquers; It speaks not, but all is made clear; It summons not, but its house is crowded; It contrives not, but the design is perfect.
If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind.
Other people have more than they need, I alone seem wanting.
To rejoice in conquest is to rejoice in murder.
When the highest type of people hear Tao (Truth), they diligently practice it. When the average type of people hear Tao, they half believe in it. When the lowest type of people hear Tao, they laugh at it. If they did not laugh, it would not be Tao.
Those who know it do not speak about it. Those who speak about it do not know it.
What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?
Arms are instruments of ill omen, not the instruments of the gentleman. When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish.
If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal. The Master leads by emptying people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know. Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.
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?
The one who is conscious (in Tao) can't speak. The one who can speak is not conscious (centered in Tao)
The sage never strives for greatness, and can therefore accomplish greatness.
When taxes are too high, people go hungry.
I am wearied, as if I lacked a home to go to.
Excellent leaders of people lower themselves.
There is no greater fault than sensual indulgence. There is no greater misfortune than malcontent. There is no greater calamity than greed.
Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you.
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