"Govern a state by justice, wage war by surprise, and take the world by doing nothing."

"The more laws and ordinances are promulgated, the more thieves and bandits there will be."

"He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened."

"He who values himself more than the world can be entrusted with the world. He who loves himself more than the world can be charged with the world."

"When the great Tao is abandoned, there is humanity and righteousness. When wisdom and intelligence appear, there is great hypocrisy."