Take account of yourselves before you are brought to account.
Do not accept gifts; [because] that is bribery.
The person I like most is the one who points out my defects
I am surprised at three things: 1. [A] man runs from death while death is inevitable. 2. One sees minor faults in others, yet overlooks his own major faults. 3. When there is any defect to one's cattle he tries to cure it, but does not cure his own defects.
When a man puts me a question, I judge of his intelligence.
Try as much as you can to mention death. For if you were having hard times in your life, then it would give you more hope and would ease things for you. And if you were having abundant affluence of living in luxury, then it would make it less luxurious.