Top Highlights

• Is it not because he has no personal and private ends, that therefore such ends are realised?
• The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao. The excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place; that of the mind is in abysmal ...
• The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange, Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change. Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy (the craving of) the belly, and not the (insatiable longing of the) eyes.
• The getting that (favour) leads to the apprehension (of losing it), and the losing it leads to the fear of (still greater calamity):— this is what is meant by saying that favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared.
• Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear. Who can secure the condition of rest? Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise.