Words exist because of meaning; once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words.

In an archery contest, when the stakes are earthenware tiles a contestant shoots with skill. When the stakes are belt buckles he becomes hesitant, and if the stakes are pure gold he becomes nervous and confused. There is no difference as to his skil.

Luck implies an absolute absence of any principle.

How do I know that loving life is not a delusion? How do I know that in hating death I am not like a man who, having left home in his youth, has forgotten the way back?

The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.

The eye is a menace to clear sight, the ear is a menace to subtle hearing, the mind is a menace to wisdom, every organ of the senses is a menace to its own capacity.

Men do not mirror themselves in running water - they mirror themselves in still water. Only what is still can still the stillness of other things.