Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.
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Sun Tzu
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
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Sun Tzu
The people are the most important element in a nation; the spirits of the land and grain are the next; the sovereign is the least.
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Mencius
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
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Xunzi
When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.
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Xunzi
No society can prosper if it aims at making things easier-instead it should aim at making people stronger.
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Ashoka
Throughout history many nations have suffered a physical defeat, but that has never marked the end of a nation. But when a nation has become the victim of a psychological defeat, then that marks the end of a nation.
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Ibn Khaldun
Let us control ourselves and not be resentful when others disagree with us, for all men have hearts and each heart has its own leanings. The right of others is our wrong, and our right is their wrong.
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Prince Shotoku
The Ministers and officials of the state should make proper behavioUr their first principle.
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Prince Shotoku
Excessive liberty and excessive servitude are equally dangerous, and produce nearly the same effect.
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Zoroaster
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.
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Plato
New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not common.
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John Locke