Fools! You think of "god" as a sentient being. God is the word used to represent a force. This force created nothing, it just helps things along. It does not answer prayers, although it may make you think of a way to solve a problem. It has the power to influence you, but not decide for you.

Nothing can be produced out of nothing.

The only way to gall and fret effectively is for yourself to be a good and honest man.

The question was put to him, what hope is; and his answer was, "The dream of a waking man."

No man is hurt but by himself. ...Literally by how he interprets what happens to him. If he focusses on how it could have been better, he will be hurt. If he focusses on how it could have been worse, he will be happy. The same is true for women too.

Wise kings generally have wise counselors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one.

Chilo advised, "not to speak evil of the dead."