"An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war."

"To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them."

"The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions."

"Peace is a natural effect of trade."

"Cultivate your curves - they may be dangerous but they won't be avoided."

"Stillness as a technique is still really captivating to me."

"Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young."

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."