When the tide is against you, feign inaction like the heron that waits with folded wings; but when the tide is on, launch out with all the celerity of the crane in seizing its prey. (490)
Men's deeds are the touch stone of their greatness or their littleness. (505)
Gauge the capacity of one, measure the work for which he is competent, saddle him with that work. (517)
Go into the details of a crime, view things impartially without being swayed by any motive, consult the wise men of the realm; that is the way to administer even-handed justice. (541)
Behold the man who can draw out hidden secrets and whose information is precise, clear and unconfused; he is a man born for the work of intelligence. (587)
The stem of the lotus plant is of the depths of the waters. The dignity of man is of the stature of his soul. (595)
The undying flame of the glory of our home sinks in its sockets and dies before the gathering gloom of indolence. (601)
Industry brings wealth; sloth poverty. (616)
Smile scornfully at the frowns of fortune. That is the only way to chase away leaden-eyed despair'. (621)
Sturdy resolution, loving care of the subjects, a knowledge of the laws of the land, untiring zeal-these four virtues, form the chief traits of a good minister. He maps out the detail of a project before hand, finds the ways and means of achieving it, seizes the right moment and then commences the operations. (632, 631)
