At first it was very hard. But once I learned how to use my mind, it became very easy. What the world considers hard, the sage considers easy. What the world considers easy, the sage considers hard.

At the beginning of this book, Lao-tzu says that Tao can’t be put into words. But are its 5,000-odd characters not words? Lao-tzu waits until the last verse to explain this. He tells us that though the Tao itself includes no words, by means of words it can be revealed – but only by words that come from the heart.

At the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit. And that center is really everywhere. It is within each of us.

At these words the samurai… sheathed his sword and bowed. ‘Here open the gates of paradise,’ said Hakuin.

Balance is the beginning of the Way. Emptiness is the heart of the way.

Be confident, not certain.

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.

Be not astonished at new ideas; for it is well known to you that a thing does not therefore cease to be true because it is not accepted by many.

Be praised my Lord through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.

Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.

Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. But you are eternity and you are the mirror.

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

Beauty is simply reality seen with the eyes of love.

Because of the finger you can point to the moon. Because of the moon you can understand the finger. The moon and the finger are neither different nor the same… Once you’e really seen things as they are, there’s no more moon, no more finger.

Before enlightenment, chopping wood and carrying water. After enlightenment, chopping wood and carrying water.

Being prepared and awaiting the unprepared is victory.

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup.

Better to shun the bait than struggle in the snare.