“If you bow at all, bow low.”

Talk does not cook rice.

A clear conscience never fears midnight knocking.

It is not the knowing that is difficult, but the doing.

A little impatience will spoil great plans.

A clever person turns great troubles into little ones, and little ones into none at all.

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.

Ripe fruit falls by itself – but it doesn’t fall in your mouth.

Better the cottage where one is merry than the palace where one weeps.

Guessing is cheap, but guessing wrong can be expensive.

Genius can be recognized by its childish simplicity.

Before preparing to improve the world, first look around your own home three times.

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

Behave toward everyone as if receiving a guest.

A hundred no’s are less agonizing than one insincere yes.

Govern a family as you would cook a small fish – very gently.