There has never been a man mean and at the same time virtuous.

The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, and does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does.

There are 1,000 lessons in defeat. But only one in victory.

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. To see it a person only needs to imagine how it could be worse.

I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep; for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.

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.