Keep your friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent

There was writing and foreign languages. I always had an ease with foreign languages. So the both are related, both language related kind of mind.

Be as fluid as water, do not give your enemies anything solid to atack

Many a serious thinker has been produced in prisons, where we have nothing to do but think.

I hate the way war is seen as something inherently brutal and ugly. Yes, much of war brings out the worst part of our [people's] nature. But in war, all kinds of noble human traits have been developed, such as discipline, cohesion, pride.

Trouble can often be traced to a single strong individual — the stirrer, the arrogant underling, the poisoner of goodwill. If you allow such people room to operate, others will succumb to their influence. Do not wait for the troubles they cause to multiply, do not try to negotiate with them — they are irredeemable. Neutralize their influence by isolating or banishing them. Strike at the source of the trouble and the sheep will scatter.

You cannot make anything worthwhile in this world unless you have first developed and transformed yourself.