"But surely, John, what we think about is who we are. In the workings of our bodies we are all the same. It is only in our thoughts and beliefs that we differ."

"“Who does not distrust a eunuch, Peter? They’ve always had bad reputations, and in many cases with good reason if you care to study history. So it may be that Theodora, because of my condition, mistakes me for one of those treacherous creatures. But I believe there may well be a more specific reason [...] It was a eunuch’s failed plotting that brought Justinian’s family to power. Who is to say whether another eunuch’s more successful plot might not topple him from the throne?”"

"If wine can talk, doubtless it can also wield a weapon, and while some men find Lethe in their cups, others find the Furies."

"But there are always scum ready to take advantage, skulking about the back ways and waiting in the shadows. Too cowardly to fight but brave enough to rob and steal the weak while others are engaged upon matters of war."

"Time is a thing that the emperor may easily take from a man but something that, alas, even the emperor cannot have newly minted."

"You did not wield the blade. It was not your fault. Nor, for that matter, was it mine, either for taking your advice or losing my way in a foreign land. The fault lies solely in the hearts of those who would take from a man everything he is for the sake of getting a few more coins for him when they sell him into slavery."

"It is far better to reconcile our philosophies than to shed blood. The pen can defeat the sword if wielded with sufficient skill."

"Do you think that, once uttered, our words vanish, never to return to our detriment, no matter how ill considered those words might be?"

"We can’t always choose what we must endure. Indignity, at least, can be survived."

"All men disappoint their fathers, or at least suppose that they do."

"Well, my friend, numbers have their own beauty ... They balance, like lines in well-constructed verse."

"“There’s no justice, John! There is no reason at all for me to be kept here!” “Justice is the first casualty of war and that’s the point we’re rapidly approaching.""

"While one cannot repay a kindness, one can at least pass it along by helping someone else."

"Senator! As if that title means anything these days. A senator’s worth as much as the land he holds and nothing more."

"Surely a man passing by a lamp will cast a shadow?"

"Reasonable men make the mistake of thinking everyone else is reasonable."

"“It is a measure of our Lord’s power, is it not, that man must spend a fortune in silver and gold to achieve merely the palest imitation of the glory found in the poorest part of His creation?"

"A man is more perishable than a silver chalice or a pair of golden earrings."

"Oh, but you are wrong, my dear. The future is all around us. It’s in the shape of the clouds we see through that door. In the wine stains on this table. In the sound of the wind in the fig tree by the fountain. The future can be foretold by anyone who has the knowledge to interpret the signs and the wit to use their eyes and ears."

"The world has seen many religions and many miracles. What one person might attribute to one god, another might credit to some different deity. It is all a mystery to us mortals. But if the edge of my sword draws blood when the need arises, does it matter what forge it came from?"

"Remember that while your body is not your own, your mind and soul remain your possessions. Control your anger, and in due course I shall not be ashamed to say I gave you your opportunity to become something more than one of my assistants."

""Only the gods know our futures.” “That may be...On the other hand the gods may communicate with us in whatever way they choose. Even through garrulous old wanderers.”"

"Life seems to more often resemble a game of knucklebones, where nothing can be predicted!"

"He wondered how long Anatolius’ stoicism would endure. Soldiers who had silently borne the most grievous battlefield wounds could be reduced to whimpering madness by extended periods of enforced hopelessness."

"What does love have to do with principles?"

"Every day some of those who lived in [the] city fell prey to its predators. Anonymous murderers were about as likely to be brought to justice as a deadly plague or fire."

"A man makes his own fortunes."

"[I]s it enough for a man to control his actions, or are you pleased only with those who can control their thoughts as well?"

"Since our enemies don’t have chains, our best defense is to learn which way they are going to jump."

"The more plausible the rogue, the tighter you need to hold on to the silver."

"It takes back-breaking labor to build a church, but at the end it is filled with song."

"Sometimes knowing your past is to know your future."

"You’ll be disappointed when you see how bare that bone is. Well, life is full of disappointments."

"The gold is worth nothing, the craftsman is the treasure."

"Though I be of small repute and scanty virtue," said Liu Bei, "I hope, O Master, you will not despise me for my worthlessness, but will leave this retreat to help me. I will assuredly listen most reverently to your words." Zhuge Liang replied, "I have long been happy on my farm and am fond of my leisure. I fear I cannot obey your command." Liu Bei wept. "If you will not, O Master, what will become of the people?" The tears rolled down unchecked upon the lapel and sleeves of Liu Bei's robe. This proved to Zhuge Liang the sincerity of his desire. Hence, Zhuge Liang said, "General, if you will accept me, I will render what trifling service I can."

"Do you not understand that the plans elaborated in a little chamber decide success over thousands of miles?"

"淡泊以明志，寧静而致遠。"

"勝負兵家之常，何可自隳其志！"

""He will not condescend to visit you. You must go to him. But if he consents, you will be as fortunate as the Zhou when they got the aid of Lu Wang, or the Han when Zhang Liang came to help." "How does the unknown compare with yourself?" "With me? Compared with him I am as a worn-out carthorse to a palomino, an old duck to a phoenix. This man often compares himself with the ancient sages Guan Zhong and Yue Yi but, in my opinion, he is far their superior. He has the talent to measure the heavens and mete the earth. He is a man who overshadows every other in the world."

"Yu Jin rode forward shouting at the top of his voice, "Halt the train!" Xiahou Dun saw him coming up and asked what was the matter. Yu Jin said, "The roads here are narrow and difficult. Around us are thick forests. What if they use fire?" Xiahou Dun's ferocity had then somewhat abated and he turned his steed toward his main body. Then there arose a shout behind him. A rushing noise came from in the reeds and great tongues of flame shot up here and there. These spread and soon the fire was in "the four quarters and the eight sides," and fanned by a strong wind."

"The last night he spent in Jizhou, Cao Cao went to the eastern corner tower and stood there regarding the sky. His only companion was Xun You. Presently Cao Cao said, "That is a very brilliant glow there in the south. It seems too strong for me to do anything there." "What is there that can oppose your heaven-high prestige?" said Xun You."

"Guan Yu quickly mounted, turned down his mighty weapon, and galloped down the hill, his phoenix eyes rounded, and his silkworm eyebrows fiercely bristling. He dashed straight into the enemy's array, and the northern soldiers opened like falling waves and dissolving storms. He made directly for the commander."

"He who wins people, prospers; he who loses them, fails. Your present plan should be to seek people of high aims and farseeing views, and you can establish yourself firmly."

"今天下英雄，惟使君與操耳！"

"Your rival has ten weak points whereas you have ten strong ones, and, though his army is large, it is not terrible."

"As the men of Cao Cao came pressing on, Zhao Yun drew Cao Cao's own sword to beat them off. Nothing could resist the blue blade sword. Armor, clothing, it went through without effort and blood gushed forth in fountains wherever it struck. So the four generals were soon beaten off, and Zhao Yun was once again free."

"Now the division of Cao Cao's army under Xiahou Dun, having marched out in advance, first came into touch with Gao Shun. Xiahou Dun at once rode out with spear set and offered a challenge. It was accepted and the two leaders fought half a hundred bouts. Then Gao Shun began to weaken and had to turn back. He rode round to the rear of his array. Xiahou Dun was not the man to quail, so he followed right into the enemy's country. Then Cao Xing, one of Lu Bu's generals, secretly strung his bow, fitted an arrow and, when Xiahou Dun had come quite near, shot at him. The arrow hit Xiahou Dun full in the left eye. He shrieked, and putting up his head, pulled out the arrow and with it the eye. "Essence of my father, blood of my mother, I cannot throw this away!" cried Xiahou Dun, and he put the eye into his mouth and swallowed it. Then resuming his firm grip of his spear, Xiahou Dun went after this new enemy. There was no escape for Cao Xing. He was overtaken and fell with a fatal spear wound full in the face. Both sides were stricken dumb with amazement."

"勢弱只因多算勝，兵强却為寡謀亡。"

"溫侯神射世間稀，曾向轅門獨解危。落日果然欺后羿，號猿直欲勝由基。虎筋弦響弓開處，雕羽翅飛箭到時。豹子尾搖穿畫戟，雄兵十萬脫徵衣。"

"Tao Qian reluctantly sent the army out. From a distance he saw Cao Cao's army spread abroad like frost and rushed far and wide like snow. In their midst was a large white flag and on both sides was written "Vengeance.""