TAO TE CHING: A NEW TRANSLATION by Lao Tzu, Sam Hamill

• In all likelihood, Lao Tzu compiled and edited the Tao Te Ching to a far, far greater extent than actually writing it.
• Recognizing virtue recognizes evil.
• Cling to no treasures, and create no thieves.
• Self is realized through selflessness.
• One over-sharpens the well-forged blade, and it won’t last long.
• Achieve emptiness. Attain tranquility.
• Learn manifest simplicity.
• Even ordinary people can be brilliant.
• Showing off does not reveal enlightenment. Boasting won’t produce accomplishment. Self-infatuation is no way to lead.
• Skillful travelers leave no tracks. Skillful speech leaves no doubt. Good accounting needs no abacus.
• Understand others and grow wise. Understand yourself and become enlightened.
• Conquering others requires force. Conquering yourself takes power.
• The greatest calamity is not knowing sufficiency, no greater calamity than desire for gain.
• The further one ventures forth, the less one knows.
• One who meddles and possesses isn’t fit to govern the world.
• Those who know don’t speak. Those who speak don’t know.
• Employ routine to govern a state. Use surprise to direct a war. With not-striving, master the world.
• The more laws are posted, the more thieves appear.
• There is nothing great virtue cannot overcome.
• Plan for difficulty while it’s easy. Manage the great while it’s small.
• Act before things exist, manage them before there’s disorder.
• When people don’t feel threatened by power, a greater power follows.
• If people don’t fear death, why threaten them with death?