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To defeat an army, you must capture the leader. – Du Fu, Tang Dynasty

If the chariot ahead has overturned, let the chariot behind beware. – Jia Yi, Han Dynasty

The wise man puts himself last and finds himself first. – Lao Zi

To catch the tiger’s cub, one must enter the tiger’s den. – Ban Chao, Eastern Han Dynasty

An arrogant and complacent leader is sure to meet with defeat. – Dou Bobi, Tang Dynasty

An arrow at the end of its journey is weak, so that it cannot even pierce thin silk. – Han Anguo, Han Dynasty

To gain the respect of the people, several victories would not go amiss. – Shi Hou

It is foolish to anger the majority, nor is it wise to do simply as you please. If your deeds displease the people, then disaster will surely follow. – Zi Chan

With men as with silk, it is most difficult to change colours once the dye has set. – Mo Zi, Warring States Period

A war wastes the people, the enemy and the leader, who is eaten up with anxiety. – Xu Wugui, Warring States Period

Sending untrained recruits into battle is sending them to their graves. – Confucius, Spring and Autumn Period

A wise ruler must suppress his personal hatreds. – Bao Shu Ya, Zhou Dynasty

True gold fears not the test of fire. – Lao Zi

Patience is a tree with bitter roots that bears sweet fruits. – Confucius

Half a truth engenders a new lie. – Lao Zi

He who commits too many sins marches on the road to death. – Duke Zhuanggong

It is wrong not to repay the kindness of others, and to rejoice in their misfortunes. – Qing Zheng

Only a storm truly tests the hardiness of a blade of grass. – Liu Xiu

Reputation should be neither sought nor avoided. – Lao Zi

Suppress your desire for glory, and you will never be disappointed. – Emperor Yu

When good is in danger, only a coward would not defend it. – Confucius

One who sets his heart on doing good, will ever be free from evil. – Confucius

You can deprive an army of its commander; but you can never deprive a man of his will. – Confucius

Seek friends who are better than you, not your own kind. – Lao Zi

Boasts are harder to honor tha promises. – Confucius

Be correct yourself, before you correct others. – Confucius

Mutual assistance makes mutual success. – Lao Zi

Repay resentment with justice. Repay virtue with virtue. – Confucius

True friendship is clear like water. False friendship is sweet, like honey. – Lao Zi

A great man is hard on himself. A small man is hard on others. – Confucius

Do not let your eyes grow on your forehead. (Don’t look down on others) – Lao Zi

Criticism and judgement draw misery upon oneself. – Zhuang Zi

Praise is only worthwhile when it comes from someone else. – Zhuang Zi

The wise man puts himself last and finds himself first. – Lao Zi

Creatures of the same nature seek one another. – Book of Changes

The caged bird yearns for the forest. – Tao Qian

Exaggerations carry with them a cartload of demons. – Book of Changes

Do not be a slave to hoarding money. – Ma Yuan

In wisdom desire roundness, and in conduct, desire squareness. – Liu Su

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good. – Confucius

Do not treat others as you yourself would not be treated. – Confucius

The gentleman first practices what he preaches and then preaches what he practices. – Confucius

Te worthy leader starts the day early and retires late. – Mo Zi

Be a leader, not a master. – Lao Zi

Unconstructive criticism is like trying to stop a flood with water, or fighting fire with fire. – Mo Zi

One who beys the will of Heaven will practice universal love. – Mo Zi

Failure lies not in falling down, but in not getting up. – Lao Zi

Good invites a pleasant reward, while evil brings about suffering as a result. – Zhi Cang