Tao Teh King, traditionally ascribed to Laozi (tr. James Legge, 1891)

Their wordsThe Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name.

Their wordsThe highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike.

Their wordsHe who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty.

Their wordsHe who knows (the Tao) does not (care to) speak (about it); he who is (ever ready to) speak about it does not know it.

Their wordsIn the kingdom the multiplication of prohibitive enactments increases the poverty of the people; the more implements to add to their profit that the people have, the greater disorder is there in the state and clan; the more acts of crafty dexterity that men possess, the more do strange contrivances appear; the more display there is of legislation, the more thieves and robbers there are.

Their wordsThe tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys rose from a (small) heap of earth; the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single step.

Their wordsThere is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war.

Their wordsSincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere.