“Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.”

“Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing (of humility), and manifests it to all the world.”

“The sage produces without possessing, acts without expectations, and accomplishes without abiding in her accomplishments. It is precisely because she does not abide in them that they never leave her.”

“Therefore the sage, in the exercise of his government, empties their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens their bones.”

“Manage affairs before they are in a mess.”

“Therefore the sage puts his own person last, and yet it is found in the foremost place; he treats his person as if it were foreign to him, and yet that person is preserved.”

“Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy (the craving of) the belly, and not the (insatiable longing of the) eyes.”