Become placeless, for to change this place of water and clay is but to move from one prison to another.

The roots of the aged palm tree exceed those of the young one; the old have a greater attachment to the world.

The weeping of the candle is not in mourning for the moth: the dawn is at hand, and it is thinking of its own dark night.

The march of good fortune has backward slips: to retreat one or two paces gives wings to the jumper.

In this market every head has a different fancy: everyone winds his turban in a different fashion.

The touchstone of false friends is the day of need: by way of proof, ask a loan from your friends.

To quit this troubled world is better than to enter it: the rosebud enters the garden with straitened heart and departs smiling.