If a man is crossing the river and an empty boat collides with his skiff,
even though he is a bad-tempered man he will not become very angry.
But if he sees a man in the other boat
he will scream and shout and curse at the man to steer clear.

If you can empty your own boat crossing the river of the world,
no one will oppose you, no one will seek to harm you.
This is the perfect man - his boat is empty. - Chuang-tzu

A sword cannot cut itself.
Desire cannot overcome itself.
Self cannot understand itself.
The Way cannot be followed by trying.