Laozi

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.

A great nation is like a great man: When he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it. He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers. He thinks of his enemies as if they were himself. He doesn't hold them in contempt.

A great nation is like a great man: When he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it. He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers. He thinks of his enemies as if they were himself. He doesn't hold them in contempt.

The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people become. The more sharp weapons the people have, the more troubled the state becomes. The more cunning and skill man possesses, the more peculiar things appear. The more laws are promulgated, the more thieves and bandits there are.

The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people become. The more sharp weapons the people have, the more troubled the state becomes. The more cunning and skill man possesses, the more peculiar things appear. The more laws are promulgated, the more thieves and bandits there are.

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.

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.

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

The great square has no corners. The great vessel takes a long time to complete. The great sound is faint. The great image has no form.

The great square has no corners. The great vessel takes a long time to complete. The great sound is faint. The great image has no form.

He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.

Act without doing; work without effort.

Act without doing; work without effort.

Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.

Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.

When there is no desire, all things are at peace.