Laozi

Shape clay into a vessel; _x000D_ _x000D_ It is the space within that makes it useful. _x000D_ _x000D_ Cut doors and windows for a room; _x000D_ _x000D_ It is the holes which make it useful. _x000D_ _x000D_ Therefore benefit comes from what is there; _x000D_ _x000D_ Usefulness from what is not there.

In the end, The treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go

A great country is like the lower outlet of a river. It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female.

The river and the sea can be kings of a hundred valleys, because they lie below them.

He who treasures his body as much as the world can care for the world.

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

I am good to people who are good. I am also good to people who are not good. Because Virtue is goodness.

Giving birth and nourishing, Bearing yet not possessing, Working yet not taking credit, Leading yet not dominating, This is the Primal Virtue.

When good thing are accomplished, it does not claim (or name) them. This is Te, which is close in meaning to power or virtue. It is something within a person, and it is enhanced by following the Tao, or 'that from which nothing can deviate'.

Act without doing; work without effort. Think of the small as large and the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. The Master never reaches for the great; thus she achieves greatness. When she runs into a difficulty, she stops and gives herself to it. She doesn't cling to her own comfort; thus problems are no problem for her.

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.

The one who is filled by virtue is like a newborn baby.

Can you gather your vital breath and yet be tender like a newborn baby?

Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.

Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.

The world is a sacred vessel. It should not be meddled with. It should not be owned. If you try to meddle with it you will ruin it. If you try to own it you will lose it

The unyielding army will not win.

Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. . . . Thus, taking advantage of what is, we recognize the utility of what is not.

The Great Vessel takes long to complete.

Clay is fashioned into vessels; it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a dwelling, and on the empty space within, its use depends. Thus, while the existence of things may be good, it is the non-existence in them that makes them serviceable.

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.