“The less people think of you, the more they will reveal to you or in your presence.”

“The best way is to be strong enough to make your enemy think twice about attacking you, yet not so aggressive that he feels threatened. Keep your sword sheathed as long as you can, but once it is unsheathed, use it without hesitation.”

“It's what you do to yourself when you go mad with rage. You have no idea how much you can hurt yourself with your own strength.”

“Don't you know the man whose life you spare will always hate you?”

“I believe the test of government is the contentment of the people.”

“They reminded me of the people of my village, their indomitable spirit in the face of disaster, their unshakable belief that no matter what might befall them, life was basically good and the world benign.”

“Shame, however, was what I felt seeping through me as though it stained my white bones black.”