1. The supreme good is like water. Water is good for all things and benefits all things without fighting. It is disliked by everyone, so it is almost in line with the Tao. ——Chapter 8 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching"

Translation:

The highest virtue is like water. Water is the source of all things, but it benefits and nourishes all things without competing in the world, and always maintains a normal mentality. It is located in a humble place that no one likes, so it is close to Tao.

2. Everyone in the world knows that beauty is beautiful, but this is evil. Everyone knows that good is good, but this is not good. ——Chapter 2 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching"

Translation:

Everyone in the world knows that beauty is beautiful because of the existence of ugliness. We all know that good is good because evil exists.

3. The tree that hugs each other is born from the smallest grain; the nine-story platform starts from tired soil; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ——Chapter 64 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching"

Translation:

The thick wood that hugs each other grows up from a time as thin as a needle; the nine-story high platform is a It is built with baskets of soil; the journey of a thousand miles is made step by step.

4. Being favored or humiliated is like being frightened, and being honored is like being in great trouble. ——Chapter 13 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching"

Translation:

When "favor" comes, you are very happy; when "favor" goes away, you feel disappointed; "humiliation" When the "humiliation" comes, I feel sad; when the "humiliation" is gone, I feel relieved. A heart wanders with the slander and praise from the outside world, and can no longer have a moment of peace and purity. Moodiness, uncertainty of joy and sorrow, just like a serious illness.

Fifth, I have three treasures, hold on to them and protect them: the first is compassion, the second is frugality, and the third is not daring to be the first in the world. ——Chapter 67 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching"

Translation:

I have the Three Treasures, and I have been holding on to them. One is loving, one is frugal, and the other is not outstanding.