“The first is gentleness; the second is economy; and the third is shrinking from taking precedence of others.”

“I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.”

“There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it;—for there is nothing (so effectual) for which it can be changed.”

“Shrinking looked they like those who wade through a stream in winter;”

“If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.”

“Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes it law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.”

“that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other;”