Those who assist a ruler with the way, Never counsel him to conquer the world by force of arms. It is something that is sure to rebound. Wherever armies have been camped, Brambles and thorns grow wild. After great wars are over, Years of scarcity and famine follow. Good generals focus only on achieving results. Not…

Those who seek to take over the world and control it, I do not think they can succeed. The world is a sacred vessel; It cannot be controlled or held on to. Those who try to control it will spoil it. Those who try to hold on to it will lose it. Therefore, among…

Know the male, But keep to the female. Be a ravine to the world. As a ravine to the world, Constant virtue will never leave you, And you will return to being an infant. Know the bright, But keep to the dark. Be a model to the world. As a model to the world, Constant virtue…

An excellent driver leaves no tracks. An excellent speaker makes no slips. An excellent accountant uses no tallies. An excellent gateman needs no bolts to secure a door, But nobody can open it. An excellent binder needs no knots, But nobody can untie the binding. This is why, The sage excels at taking care of everyone; So abandons no…

The heavy is the root of the light. The tranquil is the master of the agitated. That’s why the sage travels all day without losing sight of his baggage train. No matter how magnificent the view is, He stays calm and dispassionate. Why would the lord of a great realm, Take his own life lightly…

There is something mysterious and all-encompassing, That came into being before heaven and earth. Silent and formless, Independent and unchanging, All-pervading and inexhaustible, It may be considered the mother of all things under heaven. I do not know its name; I call it the way. If forced to give it a specific name, I would…

People who stand on tiptoe are not steady. People who take the longest strides cannot keep up the pace. People who show off do not stand out. People who promote themselves are not respected. People who boast achieve nothing. People who brag do not last. According to the way, They are like leftover food and excess…

Nature rarely talks. A whirlwind does not last all morning; A rainstorm does not last all day. What causes them to be like that? Heaven and earth. If heaven and earth cannot make them last very long, How can people hope to do so? When you open yourself to the way, you will be at one…

To yield is to be whole. To bend is to be straight. To be empty is to be full. To be exhausted is to be renewed. To have little is to gain. To have too much is to be troubled. That is why the sage embraces the one and sets an example to the world. He does…