The world's beginning is its mother. To have found the mother is also to know the children. Although you know the children, cling to the mother. Until your last day you will not be harmed.

Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habit.

Those who are right do not argue. Those who argue are not right.

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.

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.

One who believes in himself has no need to convince others.

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

In order to eliminate the negative influences, simply ignore them.

Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.

The leader is a teacher who succeeds without taking credit. And, because credit is not taken, credit is received.

Your happiness and suffering depend on your actions and not on my wishes for you.

Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn.

Cruelty and wrong are not the greatest forces in the world. There is nothing eternal in them. Only love is eternal.

That's what you do in America: you smile at people you don't know and you smile at people you don't even like and you smile for no reason.

It never ceases to amaze me: the things people care about.

Women should look like women. A piece of cardboard has no sexuality.

By removing that which is petty and self-seeking, we bring forth all that is glorious and mindful of the whole.

As regards plot I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots. And as I think a plot desirable and almost necessary, I have this extra grudge against life.

If Saddam were to be replaced tomorrow he would probably be replaced with someone who's just as bad or worse than he is.

Pessimist: One who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.