"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth; the named is the mother of all things. Therefore, let there be non-being, so we may see their subtlety, and let there be being, so we may see their outcome. The two are the same, but after they are produced, they have different names. They are both called 'mystery.' Mystery upon mystery—the gateway to all wonders."
"The highest virtue is like water. Water is good; it benefits all things and does not compete. It dwells in places that people despise, so it is close to the Dao. In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, be close to the abyss. In giving, be close to benevolence. In speech, be close to good faith. In governing, be close to order. In handling affairs, be close to competence. In action, be close to timeliness. It is because it does not compete that it is without blame."
