Laozi

Without desire there is stillness, and the world settles by itself.

See others as yourself. See families as your family. See towns as your town. See countries as your country. See worlds as your world.

The highest benevolence acts without purpose.

I have three treasures that I cherish. The first is compassion. The second is moderation. The third is not claiming to be first in the world.

People turn their eyes and ears to him (the sage), and the sage cares for them like his own children.

If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow them from behind.

Only I am clumsy, like drifting on the waves of the sea, without direction.

Supreme good is like water. Water greatly benefits all things, without conflict. It flows through places that people loathe. Thereby it is close to the Way.

The longer you travel, the less you know.

Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.

Without stepping out the door, you can know the world.

The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth.

The sage does not strive to be great. Thereby he can accomplish the great.

Those who are self-righteous are not prominent.

Not praising the deserving prevents envy.

Because he (the Sage) demands no honor, he will never be dishonored.

Let the country be small, and the inhabitants few.

By moderation one can be generous.

When leading people and serving Heaven, nothing exceeds moderation.

He who holds on to the Way seeks no excess. Since he lacks excess, he can grow old in no need to be renewed.

Those who are content suffer no disgrace.