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

“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”

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

“When the great Tao is forgotten,goodness and piety appear.When the body's intelligence declines,cleverness and knowledge step forth.When there is no peace in the family,filial piety begins.When the country falls into chaos,patriotism is born.”

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

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

“The Tao is hidden, and has no name; but it is the Tao which is skilful at imparting (to all things what they need) and making them complete.”