“When things flourish they decline.”

“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.”

“When there is no desire,all things are at peace.”

“When people see some things as beautiful,other things become ugly.When people see some things as good,other things become bad.”

“In harmony with the Tao,the sky is clear and spacious,the earth is solid and full,all creatures flourish together,content with the way they are,endlessly repeating themselves,endlessly renewed.when man interferes with the Taothe sky becomes filthy,the earth becomes depleted,the equilibrium crumbles,creatures become extinct.”

“When things (in the vegetable world) have displayed their luxuriant growth, we see each of them return to its root.”

“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”