Empires arise from chaos, and empires collapse back into chaos. This we have known since time began.

The romance of the three kingdoms by luo guanzhong

Being poor is a mere trifle. It is being known to be poor that is the sting.

Jerome k. jerome; “On being hard up”

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him…

Sun tzu; The art of war

It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do.

Jerome k. Jerome; “On being idle”

The wise man, like a child, can be filled with wonder at anything.

Tibetan proverb