The archer who misses his mark does not blame the target. He stops, corrects himself and shoots again.

To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.

To be excellent when engaged in administration is to be like the North Star. As it remains in its one position, all the other stars surround it.

Knowledge is recognizing what you know and what you don't.

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

The gods should certainly be revered, but kept at a distance... . The way is not beyond man; he who creates a way outside of man cannot make it a true way. A good man is content with changing man, and that is enough for him.

When a person should be spoken with, and you don't speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn't be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.