Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

From caring comes courage.

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.

He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.

Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.

Because of a great love, one is courageous.

Be the chief but never the lord.

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.

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.

Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.

Silence is a source of great strength.

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.

When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

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.

Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

There was something undifferentiated and yet complete, which existed before Heaven and Earth. Soundless and formless, it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger. It may be considered the mother of the universe. I do not know its name; I call it Tao.

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.'

Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.

The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.

The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.

Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.

How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?

The words of truth are always paradoxical.

Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.

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.