“The merit in action lies in finishing it to the end.”

Heaven has appointed me to rule all the nations, for hitherto there has been no order upon the steppes.

My life was too short to achieve the conquest of the whole world.

A man’s greatest moment in life is when his enemy lays vanquished, his village aflame, his herds driven before you and his weeping wives and daughters are clasped to your breast.

I hate luxury. I exercise moderation, It will be easy to forget your vision and purpose one you have fine clothes, fast horses and beautiful women. [In which case], you will be no better than a slave, and you will surely lose everything.

A man’s greatest joy is crushing his enemies.

Those who were adept and brave fellows I have made military commanders. Those who were quick and nimble I have made herders of horses. Those who were not adept I have given a small whip and sent to be shepherds.

Come and sip from the cup of destruction.

Remember, you have no companions but your shadow.

I am the punishment of God, If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.

Be of one mind and one faith, that you may conquer your enemies and lead long and happy lives.

It is not sufficient that I succeed – all others must fail.

Conquering the world on horseback is easy; it is dismounting and governing that is hard.

In the space of seven years I have succeeded in accomplishing a great work and uniting the whole world in one Empire.

Despite all expectations, the time of my last campaign and of my passing is near. I wish to die at home. Let not my end disarm you, and on no account weep for me, lest the enemy be warned of my death.

There is no good in anything until it is finished.

Man’s greatest joy is to slay his enemy, plunder his riches, ride his steeds, see the tears of his loved ones and embrace his women.

It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act.

Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.

A body in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted on by an outside force.

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

Great acts are made up of small deeds.

Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.

Climate change: I say the debate is over. We know the science, we see the threat and we know that the time for action is now.

I will no longer act on the outside in a way that contradicts the truth that I hold deeply inside. I will no longer act as if I were less than the whole person I know myself inwardly to be.