For benefits return benefits; for injuries return justice without any admixture of revenge.

He who works for his own interests will arouse much animosity

Waste begets self-will; thrift begets meanness: but better be mean than self-willed.

These are the four abuses: desire to succeed in order to make oneself famous; taking credit for the labors of others; refusal to correct one's errors despite advice; refusal to change one's ideas despite warnings.

He who rules by moral force is like the pole star, which remains in place while all the lesser stars do homage to it.

Music is the one thing in which there is no use trying to deceive others or make false pretenses.

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