“If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty.”

“The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.”

“The best rulers are scarcely known by their subjects;The next best are loved and praised;The next are feared;The next despised:They have no faith in their people,And their people become unfaithful to them.When the best rulers achieve their purposeTheir subjects claim the achievement as their own.”

“Empty your mind of all thoughts.Let your heart be at peace.Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.Each separate being in the universe returns to the common source.Returning to the source is serenity.If you don't realize the source, you stumble in confusion and sorrow.When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused, kindhearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king.Immersed in the wonder of the Tao, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death comes, you are ready.”

“A great nation is like a great man...He thinks of his enemy as the shadow that he himself casts.”

“A good traveler leaves no track.”

“To hold, you must first open your hand. Let go”