Mount Tai does not reject even a speck of soil, thus it can become immense; the rivers and seas do not reject even the smallest streams, thus they can become deep.
Only through life and death is true friendship revealed; through poverty and wealth is the nature of friendship seen; through nobility and lowliness is friendship tested.
Those who unite for power will drift apart once power is exhausted.
Appearance is superficial, whereas truth is essential. Bitter words are like medicine, while sweet words are like a disease.
Learning is valued for its breadth, while seeking the Way is valued for its essence.
When the birds are gone, the best bows are put away; when the rabbits are caught, the hounds are cooked.
A gentleman of great virtue may appear simple or even foolish.
In a state of perfect governance, neighboring lands are visible; the sounds of poultry and dogs are heard far and wide. The people are content with their food, satisfied with their clothing, peaceful in their customs, and joyful in their labors.
Fish live in water and die in water; plants grow in soil and die in soil; humans live by the Dao and die by the Dao.
A thousand people's timid compliance is not as good as one man's courageous integrity.
A gentleman may be clumsy in knowing himself, but he is trusted in being known by others.
When things reach their peak, they decline; when time reaches its limit, it turns. This is the perpetual change between essence and appearance.
Investigating the relationship between Heaven and Man, understanding the changes of the past and present, and establishing a unique school of thought.
The systems of the ancient kings: those within the borders pay tribute, those beyond the borders serve as vassals. Those within offer sacrifices, those beyond offer rituals, those as guests offer gifts, those in remote areas offer tribute, and the frontier tribes are acknowledged. Sacrifices are made daily, rituals held monthly, offerings given seasonally, and tributes sent annually. These systems follow the order of ritual; if rituals are not observed, one must reflect on intentions; if rituals are neglected, one must reflect on speech; if offerings are withheld, one must reflect on culture; if tribute is not sent, one must reflect on prestige; if sovereignty is not recognized, one must reflect on virtue. When order is established but requirements are not met, discipline is applied. Thus, there are punishments for failing in sacrifices, for military campaigns, for offerings, for tributes, and for sovereignty. Therefore, there are laws, military preparations, and diplomatic orders. If decrees are issued but not followed, virtue must be cultivated so as not to burden the people. Thus, those nearby obey, and those far away follow.
If farmers do not produce, there is no food; if artisans do not produce, there is no work; if merchants do not produce, the three treasures are lost; if stewards do not produce, wealth becomes scarce. When wealth is scarce, the mountains and rivers are exploited. These four are the sources of people's livelihood. If the source is large, there is abundance; if small, there is scarcity. This enriches the state and the household; it is the way of wealth and poverty that no one can alter.
For the people, food is the most vital necessity.
How can the sparrow know the ambitions of the swan?
Laws are merely tools of governance, not the source of a reign's purity or corruption.
