Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly.

By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man?

If a retainer will just think about what he is to do for the day at hand, he will be able to do anything. If it is a single day's work, one should be able to put up with it. Tomorrow, too is but a single day.

Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.

It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent also does the same, it is a even match. Defeating one's opponent is then a matter of faith and destiny.

The heart of a virtuous person has settled down and he does not rush about at things. A person of little merit is not at peace but walks about making trouble and is in conflict with all.

When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation.