The highest goodness is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete; it dwells in places others disdain, and so is close to the Tao.

Nothing in the world is softer than water, yet nothing surpasses it in overcoming the hard and strong.

In the pursuit of learning, one gains daily. In the pursuit of the Tao, one loses daily -- losing and losing until one arrives at wu wei. Through non-action, nothing is left undone.

The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

It is hard to retain what you learn unless you practice it.

-- Seneca

Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.

-- Marcus Aurelius

It is the task of one rightly oriented toward others to draw the circles in toward the centre.

-- Hierocles

It is not learning that makes people good, but practice.

-- Gaius Musonius Rufus

The knowledge and contemplation of nature is somehow defective and incomplete unless action follows.

-- Panaetius

Courage begins the difficult deed, but fortune governs its outcome.

-- Democritus