The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat.

A man who lacks reliability is utterly useless.

By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

The Gods cannot help those who do not seize opportunities.

There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth ... lust. When he is strong ... quarrelsomeness. When he is old ... covetousness.

He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger... Men of superior mind busy themselves first getting at the root of things; when they succeed, the right course is open to them.

Plan ahead or find trouble on the doorstep.