"Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone."

"When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists. Next best is a leader who is loved. Next, one who is feared. The worst is one who is despised."

"The best rulers are those the people barely know exist. The next best are those the people praise and acclaim. The next best are those the people fear. The worst are those the people despise."

"When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad."

"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."