"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power."

"Fill your bowls to the brim and they will spill. Sharpen your blade to the sharpest and it will soon blunt."

"The sage wears rough clothing and holds the jewel in his heart."

"The five colors make one blind in the eyes; the five tones make one deaf in the ears."

"Abandon sageliness and discard wisdom, and the people will benefit a hundredfold."