Lao Tzu

The softest things in the world override the hardest.

The pursuit of book-learning brings about daily increase. The practice of Tao brings about daily loss.

He who knows others is clever, but he who knows himself is enlightened. He who overcomes others is strong, but he who overcomes himself is mightier still. He is rich who knows when he has enough.

here is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, yet for attacking things that are hard and strong there is nothing that surpasses it, nothing that can take its place.
The soft overcomes the hard; the weak overcomes the strong.

Why are excessive care and great anxiety alike bad for one? The very reason I have anxiety is because I have a body. If I have not body why would I be anxious?
Therefore if he who administers the empire, esteems it as his own body, then he is worthy to be trusted with the empire.

A good traveller journeys without firm plans
and travels without leaving a trace.

Those who know others are intelligent;
those who know themselves have true wisdom.
Those who master others have strength;
those who master themselves have true power.

To realise that you have enough
is true wealth.

One who keeps his course
surely lives long.
One who gives himself to the Tao
surely lives forever.

When life is simple,
pretences fall away;
our essential nature shines through.

When there is no desire,
all things are at peace.
When there is silence,
one finds the anchor of the universe
within oneself.

If you fix upon your consciousness the fact that the desire you feel for the possession of riches is one with the desire of Omnipotence for more complete expression, your faith becomes invincible

The Tao that can be Told

Is not the True Tao;

Names that can be Named

Are not True Names.

The Origin of Heaven and Earth

Has no Name.

The Mother of the Myriad Things

Has a Name.

Free from Desire,

Contemplate the Inner Marvel;

With Desire,

Observe the Outer Radiance.

These issue from One Source,

But have different Names.

They are both a Mystery.

Mystery of Mysteries,

Gateway to All Marvels