Fighting isn't all there is to the Art of War. The men who think that way, and are satisfied to have food to eat and a place to sleep, are mere vagabonds. A serious student is much more concerned with training his mind and disciplining his spirit than with developing martial skills.

The bitter winds in February were sometimes called the First East Winds, but the longing for spring somehow made them seem more piercing.

it is easy to surpass a predecessor, but difficult to avoid being surpassed by a successor.

There's not much benefit in attacking an empty house.

To the courtiers flushed with wine, life was pleasure, and pleasure life.

I want to dedicate myself to training and discipline. I want to spend every moment of every day working to improve myself.

The truth of the scholar, alone in his study, does not always accord with what the world at large considers to be true.