“Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, earnestly carry it into practice.”

“When the highest type of men hear Tao,They diligently practice it.When the average type of men hear Tao,They half believe in it.When the lowest type of men hear Tao,They laugh heartily at it.Without the laugh, there is no Tao”

“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).”

“The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.”

“When men lost their understanding of the Tao, intelligence came along, bringing hypocrisy with it.”

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

“And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.”