That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.

The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials.

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

With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bent arm for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of all these things.

Those who make virtue their profession are the ruin of virtue.

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

To rein a kingdom efficiently it is necessary, before all, to put into good order the family. It's impossible for a man who doesn't know how to lead his own family to know how to lead a country.