Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao...

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  He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm...

  He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily). (So), he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; he who is self-conceited has no...
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  The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.

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  A violent wind does not last for a whole morning...

  A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these (two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can man!
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  The skillful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels...

  The full text of the quotation is: "The skillful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps; the skillful speaker says nothing that can be found fault with or blamed; the skillful reckoner uses no tallies; the skillful closer needs no bolts or bars, while to open what he has shut will be...
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  He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent...

  He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will. He who does not fail in the requirements of his...
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  The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout...

  The full text of the quotation is: "The 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." Thus great things start from the smallest.
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  There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war.

• In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.

• If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

• Without stirring abroad, one can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window one can see the way of heaven. The further one goes the less one knows.