“'Politicians and generals who always want to extend their territories and fill their treasuries are called, 'Robbers of the People and should suffer the highest punishments.”

Chapters: 30. No War

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“A ruler's prosperity depends on his exercising a restraint upon himself... When a ruler rejoices in the joy of his people, they also rejoice in his joy; when he grieves at the sorrow of his people, they also grieve at his sorrow.”

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“All people have a mind-and-heart that cannot bear to see the suffering of others... to be without compassion is not to be human.”

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“Do not let finely meshed nets be cast in ponds and lakes and the fish and turtles will be more than can be consumed; let axes enter the mountain groves only at the appropriate time and the timber will be more than can be used.”

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“If filial piety and fraternal respect are made important principles of instruction in village schools, graying haired elders will no longer be on the roads carrying heavy loads on their backs and heads... Treat with the reverence due to old age the elders in your own family, so that the elders in the families of others shall be similarly treated.”

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“If leaders don't interfere with the seasons of husbandry, grain will be more than can be eaten. If tight nets are banned from pools and ponds, fish and turtles will be more than can be used. If axes and saws can only enter forests at proper times, there will be more wood than can be used.”

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“If our actions do not satisfy the mnd-and-heart, we become starved.”

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“If the people do not have a minimum level of livelihood, they will not have a fixed heart and there will be nothing they will not do—self-abandonment, moral deflection, depravity, wild license.”

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“If your Majesty loves beauty, let the people be able to gratify the same feeling, and what difficulty will there be in your attaining the royal sway?”

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“If your Majesty loves wealth, give the people power to gratify the same feeling, and what difficulty will there be in your attaining the royal sway?”

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“In years of prosperity, most of the young people are well behaved; but, in bad years, most of the young people turn to violence.”

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“It is the nature of things to be unequal… If you rank them equally you throw the world into confusion. Suppose shoes, large and small, were the same price—who would make large ones?”

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“One who believes all of a book would be better off without books.”

Chapters: 65. Simplicity: the Hidden Power of Goodness

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“Only a person who can refuse to act in inappropriate situations is capable of acting at appropriate times.”

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“Only hypocritical, greedy, and criminal leaders create the causes of crime and then punish the people for it.”

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“Plant mulberry trees around the homesteads and people will be able to wear silk. Promote the breeding of pigs and fowl and people will be able to eat meat. Assure farmers the time to cultivate their fields and families will not suffer from hunger.”

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“The first step of good government is assuring that the people have enough food and fuel, enough resources to nourish their living and mourn their dead.”

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“The great person is one who does not lose his mind-and-heart of a child.”

Chapters: 55. Forever Young

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“The ten thousand things are all within us.”

Chapters: 33. Know Yourself

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“The way of learning is none other than finding the lost mind.”

Chapters: 20. Unconventional Mind

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“The way we care for Heaven is by guarding our mind and nourishing our nature.”

Chapters: 59. The Gardening of Spirit

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“The wise are not alone in desiring something greater than life and hating something greater than death. This is true of everyone. But the wise don't forget it.”

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“The wise person does not lose their child-like heart.”

Chapters: 28. Turning Back

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“Those who labor with their mind-and-hearts govern others; those who labor with their strength are governed by others. Those who are governed provide for others, those who govern are provided for by others.”

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“To give protection to the people is to be a true king.”

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“To keep a constant mind-and-heart of goodness without a constant, meaningful livelihood is only possible for a very few. If people lack a good livelihood, it follows that they will lack a good mind and heart; will become reckless, depraved, and stop at nothing. Only hypocritical, greedy, and criminal leaders create the causes of crime and then punish the people for it.”

Chapters: 75. Greed

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“Very small is the difference between people and animals. The common person ignores that difference but the wise cultivate it.”

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“What does ‘understanding words’ mean? With half-truths, it means knowing what is concealed; with seductive words, knowing the trap created; with deceitful words, seeing the lies; with evasive words, understanding the desperation behind the language.”

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“When the ruler view his ministers as his hands and feet, they regard him as their heart and soul. When he views them as dirt and weeds, they regard him as an enemy and a thief.”

Chapters: 17. True Leaders

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“Wise leaders never indulge in wild pleasures without restraint. Pursuing passions without limit is like delighting in wine without moderation and leads to similar results.”

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