Manifest plainness,Embrace simplicity,Reduce selfishness,Have few desires.
He who loves the world as his body may be entrusted with the empire.
The best [man] is like water.Water is good; it benefits all things and does not compete with them.It dwells in [lowly] places that all disdain.This is why it is so near to Tao.
When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty,There arises the recognition of ugliness.When they all know the good as good,There arises the recognition of evil.
Know the right moment.
Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure.
Not even the gods fight against necessity.
Do not speak ill of the dead.