In the world, big things necessarily start with small things. What is soft and weak overcomes what is hard and strong. There is nothing in the world softer and weaker than water, but it falls on something strong and strong and nothing can overcome it.
The worthy man keeps what is essential and leaves aside what is insignificant. He does what is right, but he will never rely on laws.
Self-control is the first step of virtue and the beginning of moral perfection.
In the world, everything grows, blossoms and returns to the root.
Returning to the root means stillness; what is in accord with nature is eternal. Therefore, bodily decay does not involve any danger.
The voice of truth is not gentle, but lying speech is gentle. The moral man is not good-mouthed, the liar is good-mouthed.
The voice of truth is unpleasant to hear.
Even the best weapon does not bode well.
To the sage, honor and shame from the powerful of the world are equally uncommon.
He who is content with himself is rich.
The honorable man always strives to be impartial, not to attach importance to the material world and not to listen to sterile teachings.
The honorable man does much, but does not boast of what he has done, accumulates merits, but does not recognize them, because he does not want to show his wisdom.
The honorable man wears poor clothes, but inside he wears a precious stone.
If a thing is not needed for a specific purpose, you can use it for another. If you do not have enough faith, then the being does not believe in you.
If the palace is luxurious, the field is full of weeds and the barn is empty.
The aristocrat dresses in expensive clothes, carries sharp swords, is not satisfied with ordinary food and accumulates excessive wealth, all these are called robbery and waste.
If the people do not fear the authorities, then an even greater authority will appear.
If the people do not fear death, then why scare them with death?
There are four supreme spheres: Path, Heaven, Earth, Man - and man ranks first among the spheres.
The law of the good is to do good and not to quarrel.
He who knows the measure is satisfied with his condition. He who knows a lot is silent, and he who talks a lot knows nothing.
Loss can turn into profit and profit can turn into loss.
It is true that the enlightened man never makes war.
When you are wealthy, consider what to do in times of hardship, for great misfortune begins with a small one.
When laws and commandments multiply, so do the number of thieves and evildoers.
When there are no enemies, there is no war.
If you collect a lot, you will have a lot to lose.
He who wages a war for the sake of mankind will defeat his enemies.
He who pretends to know a lot and is capable of anything, knows nothing and is capable of nothing.
He who thinks he has understood everything knows nothing.