Minds are of three kinds: one is capable of thinking for itself; another is able to understand the thinking of others; and a third can neither think for itself nor understand the thinking of others. The first is of the highest excellence, the second is excellent, and the third is worthless.

To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.

Cruelties should be committed all at once.

If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard.

One never finds anything perfectly pure and ... exempt from danger.

Laa shay'a waqi'un moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine...We work in the Dark, to serve the Light.

When every province of the world so teems with inhabitants that they can neither subsist where they are nor remove themselves elsewhere.