"The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people will be. The more sharp weapons the people have, the more trouble there will be in the country. The more clever and skillful man is, the more str…"

"The five colors blind the eye. The five notes deafen the ear. The five tastes dull the palate. Racing and hunting madden the mind. Precious goods keep their owners in fetters."

"Governing a large country is like frying a small fish."

"The highest virtue does nothing. Yet, nothing needs to be done. The lowest virtue does everything. Yet, much remains to be done."

"The sage is sharp but not cutting, pointed but not piercing, straightforward but not unrestrained, brilliant but not dazzling."