"When the unreal is taken for the real, then the real becomes unreal; Where non-existence is taken for existence, then…"

"[Black Jade], I never dared to speak the secrets of my heart to you. I'll be bold today and I care not if I die as a …"

"[Shih-yin] was walking one day on the street, leaning on a cane, when he saw a lame Taoist in hemp sandals and tatter…"

"Tonight a pair of cooing doves under red bridal curtains, Tomorrow a heap of bleached bones like those of yesteryear.…"

"Careful as we may be with our sons, We cannot be certain they will not turn bandits and thieves. We would all bring u…"

"What bustle and confusion, as one set of actors exits and another enters, Each taking the illusory for the real."

"[Pao-yu] says the strangest things for a mere child—for instance, that girls are made of water while men are made of …"

"[T]here suddenly appeared on the scene Precious Virtue. Though only a trifle older than Black Jade, she showed a tact…"

"Enduring as heaven and earth—no love however ancient can ever die; Timeless as light and shadow—no debt of breeze and…"

"Pages full of unlikely words, Handfuls of hot, bitter tears. They call the author a silly fool, For they know not wha…"