A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.
In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.
Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result.
Speak only endearing speech, speech that is welcomed. Speech, when it brings no evil to others, is a pleasant thing.
Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one's own acts, done and undone.
The thing that is disliked by me is also disliked by others. Since I dislike this thing, how can I inflict it on someone else?
'As I am, so are these. As are these, so am I.' Drawing the parallel to yourself, neither kill nor get others to kill.
All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.
Who sows virtue reaps honor.