"The Law(道, Way) is Huge and Shapeless, its Moral extends everywhere."

"When all within the four seas have been put in their proper places, [the sage] sits in darkness to observe the light.…"

"In dealing with those who share his bed, the enlightened ruler may enjoy their beauty but should not listen to their …"

"No state is forever strong or forever weak. If those who uphold the law are strong, the state will be strong; if they…"

"A truly enlightened ruler uses the law to select men for him; he does not choose them himself. He uses the law to wei…"

"Laws are the means of prohibiting error and ruling out selfish motives; strict penalties are the means of enforcing o…"

"The way is the beginning of all beings and the measure of right and wrong."

"From your place of darkness observe the defects of others. See but do not appear to see; listen but do not seem to li…"

"Take hold of the handles of government carefully and grip them tightly. Destroy all hope, smash all intention of wres…"

"Be immeasurably great, be unfathomably deep; make certain that names and results tally, examine laws and customs, pun…"