There are 3 elements essential in the matters of the State, Food, Military equipment, and Confidence of the people in the ruler. Of these 3, Military Equipment is the least important, Food being the 2nd important, and Confidence of the people being the MOST important. All men rather die of starvation than in war, but nevertheless all men do die of old age. Lacking in Confidence from the people, a state cannot survive.

The requisites of government are that there be sufficiency of food, sufficiency of military equipment, and the confidence of the people in their ruler.

A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others.

Do not unto another that you would hot have him do unto you. Thou needest this law alone. It is the foundation of all the rest.

There are three things against which the wise man guards: lust when young, quarrels when strong, and covetousness when old.

If proper in their own conduct, what difficulty would they have in governing? But if not able to be proper in their own conduct, how can they demand such conduct from others?

Wisdom is rooted in watching with affection the way people grow.