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.

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

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

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.

For thinking and Being are the same.

-- Parmenides

You must learn all things: both the steadfast heart of well-rounded Truth and the opinions of mortals, in which there is no true trust.

-- Parmenides

Color exists by convention, sweet by convention, bitter by convention; in reality there are only atoms and void.

-- Democritus

I know that I know nothing.

-- Socrates

Imagine prisoners chained underground since childhood, seeing only shadows on a wall and taking them for reality.

-- Plato

Those who understand that things arise dependently know them to be empty.

-- Nagarjuna