財不如義高，勢不如德尊。
If one desires wealth, nothing is better than safeguarding one’s person. Wealth is not as high a thing as nobility of principle; temporal power is not as distinguished a thing as innate strength.
父不能愛無益之子，君不能愛不軌之民。
A father cannot love a son who does not benefit the clan; nor can a ruler love people who do not adhere to the paths prescribed for them.
君不能賞無功之臣，臣不能死無德之君。
A ruler cannot reward an officer who has achieved no merit; nor can an officer die for a ruler without virtue.
問善御者莫如馬，問善治者莫如民。
If you wish to know who is skilled at riding, ask a horse; if you wish to know who is skilled in the art of ruling, ask the people.
以卑為尊，以屈為伸。
To be exalted, one must first be lowly; to stretch out, one must first be cramped.
聖人所因，上法於天。
What sages rely on is the use of Heaven’s laws as models for imitation. Paths to Survival and Fame