Laozi

The more you know, the less you understand.

Recompense injury with kindness.

Recompense injury with kindness.

He who is without desire sees the mystery. He who is with desire sees only the manifestations.

The world is a sacred vessel. It cannot be controlled. Those who try to control it will ruin it. Those who try to grasp it will lose it.

The world is a sacred vessel. It cannot be controlled. Those who try to control it will ruin it. Those who try to grasp it will lose it.

The sage puts his person last, and it comes first. He treats his person as an outsider, and it is preserved.

The sage puts his person last, and it comes first. He treats his person as an outsider, and it is preserved.

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

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

The uncarved block, though small, is nowhere in the world inferior. If princes and kings could but hold on to it, all creatures would submit to them.

The uncarved block, though small, is nowhere in the world inferior. If princes and kings could but hold on to it, all creatures would submit to them.

Therefore the sage holds to the one and becomes a model for the world. He does not display himself; therefore he shines. He does not assert himself; therefore he is known. He does not boast; therefore he has merit. He does not contend; therefore no one in the world can contend with him.

Therefore the sage holds to the one and becomes a model for the world. He does not display himself; therefore he shines. He does not assert himself; therefore he is known. He does not boast; therefore he has merit. He does not contend; therefore no one in the world can contend with him.

The reason why the river and the sea are able to be the lords of the hundred valleys is that they excel in taking the lower position. That is why they are able to be the lords of the hundred valleys.

The reason why the river and the sea are able to be the lords of the hundred valleys is that they excel in taking the lower position. That is why they are able to be the lords of the hundred valleys.

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

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

Deal with it before it happens. Set things in order before there is confusion.

Deal with it before it happens. Set things in order before there is confusion.