"Therefore it is because the sage never attempts to be great that he succeeds in becoming great."

"When the great way falls into disuse, there are benevolence and rectitude."

"The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself."

"When the best student hears about the Way, he practices it diligently. When the average student hears about the Way, he is half-hearted. When the worst student hears about the Way, he laughs out loud.…"

"I do not act, and people become reformed by themselves. I am at peace, and people become fair by themselves. I do not interfere, and people become rich by themselves."