Centeredness is the cure for impulsiveness.
Serenity is the master of restlessness.
Knowing this, one of universal nature is placid
and never departs from the center of his own being.
Tao Teh Ching 26
It is generally the nature of weapons
to turn against their wielders.
[. . .]
to be excessively strong
is to hasten decay [. . .] violence
is against the integral nature of the universe.
Tao Teh Ching 30
Weapons are instruments of killing
and destruction,
which are contrary to the nature of life.
Thus, they are avoided by those who follow
the subtle Way of the universe.
Tao Teh Ching 31
One of subtle universal virtue
is not conscious of being virtuous,
therefore, he is truly virtuous.
One of partial virtue attempts to live up to
an external standard of virtue.
Therefore, he is not truly virtuous.
Tao Teh Ching 38
All translations from The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching and Hua Hu Ching, An Enlightening New Translation and Elucidation by Hua Ching Ni.
