“In the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there were (their rulers).”
“The ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people.”
“To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a disease.”
“Those who possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the Tao) did not (seek) to show them, and therefore they possessed them (in fullest measure).”
“Composure is the ruler of instability.”
“stillness, the ruler of movement.”
“The highest excellence is like (that of) water.”