Laozi

The sage does not act and therefore does not fail, does not seize and therefore does not lose.

The Way is ever without action, yet nothing is left undone.

The highest virtue does nothing. Yet, nothing needs to be done. The lowest virtue does everything. Yet, much remains to be done.

The value of teaching without words and accomplishing without action is understood by few in the world.

The sage knows without traveling, perceives without looking, completes without acting.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

Taking things lightly must lead to big difficulties. The sage regards things as difficult, and thereby avoids difficulty.

People fail at the threshold of success. Be as cautious at the end as at the beginning. Then there will be no failure.

Those who have the courage to dare will perish. Those who have the courage not to dare will live.

The sage's Way is to act and not to contend.

Careful, like crossing a river in the winter. Wary, as if surrounded by strangers.

Although he travels all day, the sage never loses sight of his luggage carts.

The best way to carve is not to split.

Those who know when to halt are unharmed.

Seal the openings, shut the doors, and until your last day you will not be exhausted. Widen the openings, interfere, and until your last day you will not be safe.

The sage is sharp but does not cut, pointed but does not pierce, forthright but does not offend, bright but does not dazzle.

Pursue without interfering.

Lightly given promises must meet with little trust.

All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being.

The softest thing in the world can overcome the hardest thing in the world.