It is in the nature of things that some people should be unlucky enough to get their heads chopped off.

Trust only him who doubts.

The most painful thing in life is to wake up from a dream and find no way out. Dreamers are fortunate people. If no way out can be seen, the important thing is not to awaken the sleepers.

Why should young people look for guides who hang out gided placards to advertise themselves? They would do better to look for friends, unite with them, and advance together towards some quarter where it seems possible to survive.

When you talk with famous scholars, the best thing is to pretend that occasionally you do not quite understand them. If you understand too little, you will be despised; if you understand too much, you will be disliked; if you just fail occasionally to understand them, you will suit each other very well.

I entreat fresh visions from the painters. Be lavish with your vermilion to portray the mountains in the spring.

To be suspicious is not a fault. To be suspicious all the time without coming to a conclusion is the defect.