Laozi

Whatever one cultivates, is what one becomes.

The things that have acquired unity are these: Heaven by unity has become clear; Earth by unity has become steady; The Spirit by unity has become spiritual; The Valley by unity has become full; All things by unity have come into existence.

Yielding is the way of the Tao.

When bitter enemies make peace, surely some bitterness remains.

Excellent soldiers are not furious.

Warriors say: I dare not be like the host, but would rather be like the guest. I dare not advance an inch, but would rather retreat a foot.

The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes.

Peace and quiet are preferred. Victory should not be praised.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are abhorred by all creatures. Anyone who follows the Way shuns them.

Weapons are ominous tools. They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it.

Thorn bushes grow where armies have camped.

There is one appointed supreme executioner. Truly, trying to take the place of the supreme executioner is like trying to carve wood like a master carpenter. Of those who try to carve wood like a master carpenter, there are few who do not injure their hands.

What is well planted will not be uprooted.

The truly great ones rely on substance, and not on surface, hold on to the fruit, and not to the flower.

Those who die without being forgotten get longevity.

When people do not dread authorities, then a greater dread descends.

All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.

We go from birth to death. Three out of ten follow life. Three out of ten follow death. People who rush from birth to death are also three out of ten. Why is that so? Because they want to make too much of life.

People are hard to govern. The rulers interfere with too much. That is why people are hard to govern.

Do not make them (people) weary at their work. If you do not make them weary, they will not be weary of you.

To be brave without compassion, generous without moderation, and rule without refraining from being first in the world, are certain deaths.