“If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly.”

“If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold.”

“If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers.”

“When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue.”

“The Tao is (like) the emptiness of a vessel; and in our employment of it we must be on our guard against all fulness.”

“We should blunt our sharp points, and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness, and bring ourselves into agreement with the obscurity of others.”

“When the great Tao is forgotten,goodness and piety appear.When the body's intelligence declines,cleverness and knowledge step forth.When there is no peace in the family,filial piety begins.When the country falls into chaos,patriotism is born.”