Restraint in the eye is good, good is restraint in the ear, in the nose restraint is good, good is restraint in the tongue
The relation of the Tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys
It advantages a Brahmana not a little if he holds his mind back from the pleasures of life; when all wish to injure has vanished, pain will cease
A man does not become a Brahmana by his platted hair, by his family, or by birth; in whom there is truth and righteousness, he is blessed, he is a Brahmana
That which is at rest is easily kept hold of; before a thing has given indications of its presence, it is easy to take measures against it; that which is brittle is easily broken;...
The virtuous man is happy in this world, and he is happy in the next; he is happy in both He is happy when he thinks of the good he has done; he is still more happy when going on t...
When the learned man drives away vanity by earnestness, he, the wise, climbing the terraced heights of wisdom, looks down upon the fools, serene he looks upon the toiling crowd, as...
Let us live happily then, not hating those who hate us! among men who hate us let us dwell free from hatred!
The Tao is hidden, and has no name; but it is the Tao which is skilful at imparting (to all things what they need) and making them complete
Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men
He for whom there is neither this nor that shore, nor both, him, the fearless and unshackled, I call indeed a Brahmana
He who is without thirst and without affection, who understands the words and their interpretation, who knows the order of letters (those which are before and which are after), he...
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who finds no fault with other beings, whether feeble or strong, and does not kill nor cause slaughter
If anything is to be done, let a man do it, let him attack it vigorously! A careless pilgrim only scatters the dust of his passions more widely
When a reconciliation is effected (between two parties) after a great animosity, there is sure to be a grudge remaining (in the mind of the one who was wrong) And how can this be b...
If a man find no prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, let him walk alone, like a king who has left his conquered country behind,--like an elephant in t...
Let a man avoid evil deeds, as a merchant, if he has few companions and carries much wealth, avoids a dangerous road; as a man who loves life avoids poison
Whatever place a faithful, virtuous, celebrated, and wealthy man chooses, there he is respected
Let each man direct himself first to what is proper, then let him teach others; thus a wise man will not suffer
The sage does not accumulate (for himself) The more that he expends for others, the more does he possess of his own; the more that he gives to others, the more does he have himself
They should think their (coarse) food sweet; their (plain) clothes beautiful; their (poor) dwellings places of rest; and their common (simple) ways sources of enjoyment
Rouse thyself! do not be idle! Follow the law of virtue! The virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next
From greed comes grief, from greed comes fear; he who is free from greed knows neither grief nor fear
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who is tolerant with the intolerant, mild with fault-finders, and free from passion among the passionate
There is an originating and all-comprehending (principle) in my words, and an authoritative law for the things (which I enforce) It is because they do not know these, that men do n...
There is no satisfying lusts, even by a shower of gold pieces; he who knows that lusts have a short taste and cause pain, he is wise;
He who walks in the company of fools suffers a long way; company with fools, as with an enemy, is always painful; company with the wise is pleasure, like meeting with kinsfolk
What is the use of platted hair, O fool! what of the raiment of goat-skins? Within thee there is ravening, but the outside thou makest clean
Thus it was that when the Tao was lost, its attributes appeared; when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared; and when ri...
To him by whom this harmony is known, (The secret of) the unchanging (Tao) is shown, And in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne All life-increasing arts to evil turn; Where the m...