Laozi's Dao De Jing

Dao is the pattern of nature.

To do something big you must start very small.

Create without possessing, give without expecting, achieve without credit. By laying no claim, the Dao-aware make the work last.

the most important knowledge is never reducible to words.

From a peak of strength there’s nowhere to go but down. Whoever doesn’t follow Dao will come to an early end.

You and I would be better off to forget, to never know about sage kings or cruel tyrants, and let Dao’s current bear us away. The earth holds me up using my fixed form, works me through the trials of living, relaxes me by the decline of senescence, and rests me with the oblivion of death.

The Dao-aware don’t seek to “enlighten” others; wisdom comes from within.

That’s why the Dao-aware eliminate what is too much, too rich, too extreme.

After victory, don’t swagger, boast, swell with pride. Victory because there’s no other choice, not to feed strength.