"You can't discuss the ocean with a well frog—he's limited by the space he lives in. You can't discuss ice with a summer insect—he's limited by the season he lives in."

"The true man of Tao lives as a fish lives in water: he is at home in it, but he does not know it. The true man of Tao lives as a bird lives in the air: he is at home in it, but he does not know it."

"The purpose of a net is to catch fish. Once the fish are caught, you can forget the net. The purpose of words is to convey ideas. Once the ideas are grasped, you can forget the words."

"The true man of Tao can enter the water without being wet, and enter the fire without being burned."

"Running around accusing others is not as good as laughing. And enjoying a good laugh is not as good as going along with things."