...One who possesses four qualities is deposited in heaven as if brought there. What four? Bodily good conduct, verbal good conduct, mental good conduct, and gratitude or thankfulness. One possessing these four qualities is deposited in heaven as if brought there.

There is no meditation without wisdom, and there is no wisdom without meditation. When a man has both meditation and wisdom, he is indeed close to nirvana.

The person who masters himself through self-control and discipline is truly undefeatable.

Be a light unto yourself.

One who conquers himself is greater than another who conquers a thousand times a thousand on the battlefield.

It is not life and wealth and power that enslave men, but the cleaving to life and wealth and power.

One may desire a spurious respect and precedence among one's fellow monks, and the veneration of outsiders. "Both monks and laity should think it was my doing. They should accept my authority in all matters great or small." This is a fool's way of thinking. His self-seeking and conceit just increase.