“The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. A victory should be celebrated with the funeral rite.”

“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.”

“The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors.”

“The (state of) vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree, and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour.”

“Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look at the stars. This practice should answer the question.”

“If I had just a little bit of wisdom I should walk the great path and fear only straying from it.”

“If any one should wish to get the kingdom for himself, and to effect this by what he does, I see that he will not succeed.”