Ancient Wisdom

Human life is limited, but knowledge is limitless. To drive the limited in pursuit of the limitless is fatal; and to presume that one really knows is fatal indeed! In doing good, avoid fame. In doing bad, avoid disgrace. Pursue a middle course as your principle. Thus you will guard your body from harm, preserve your life, fulfil your duties by your parents, and live your allotted span of life. 

 There are those who will conquer the world And make of it (what they conceive or desire)     I see that they will not succeed. (For) the world is God's own Vessel It cannot be made (by human interference).      He who makes it spoils it.     He who holds it loses it. For: Some things go forward,          Some things follow behind;          Some blow hot,          And some blow cold;          And some are strong,          And some are weak;           Some may break,          And some may fall Hence the Sage eschews excess,          eschews extravagance,          eschews pride.          

A Lion that had grown old, and had no more strength to forage for food, saw that he must get it by cunning. He went into his den and crept into a corner, and make believe that he was very sick. All the animals about came in to take a look at him, and as they came, he snapped them up. When a good many beasts had been caught in this way, the Fox who guessed his trick, came along. He took his stand a little way from the den, and asked the Lion how he did. The Lion said he was very sick, and begged him to come into the den to see him. "So I would," said the Fox, "but I notice that all the footprints point into the den, and none point out."

  Two scorpions living in the same hole will get along better than two sisters living in the same house.