He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.
Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.
Because of a great love, one is courageous.
Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.
To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.
It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.
How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?
Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.
Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'
Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.
All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.
To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.
Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
Heaven is long-enduring, and earth continues long. The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because they do not live of, or for, themselves.
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
He who knows himself is enlightened.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the Named is the mother of all things.
