Only by working within the laws that govern the flow of water will happiness be achieved.

What people loathe the most is to be orphaned, desolate, unworthy. But this is what princes and kings call themselves.

Man, when living, is soft and tender; when dead, he is hard and tough. All animals and plants when living are tender and delicate; when dead they become withered and dry. Therefore it is said: the hard and tough are parts of death; the soft and tender are parts of life.

Arms are instruments of ill omen.... When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish. There is no glory in victory, and to glorify it despite this is to exult in the killing of men.... When great numbers of people are killed, one should weep over them with sorrow. When victorious in war, one should observe mourning rites.

The net of heaven is very wide in its meshes, and yet it misses nothing.

Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream.

The value of actions lies in their timing.