In the Daodejing, trusting others and being trustworthy are seen as essential qualities for a leader. Here is a collection of the most popular quotations on the subject of trust from the text.
言善信
In speaking, it is good faith that counts;
Daodejing
Chapter 8
信不足焉,有不信焉。悠兮其貴言。
Leaders who don’t trust their people enough won’t be trusted in return.
Wise ones choose their words carefully.
Daodejing
Chapter 17