The famous seventeenth-century Ming painter Chou Yung relates a story that altered his behavior forever. “If, for example, you are miserly by nature, you will never go beyond a certain limit only generous souls attain greatness.” “Hide your intentions not by closing up (with the risk of appearing secretive, and making people suspicious) but by talking endlessly about your desires and goals-just not the real ones.” I prefer to profit by others’ experience.”
“Fools say that they learn by experience. The less interest you reveal, the more superior you seem.” If there is something you want but cannot have, show contempt for it. It is sometimes best to leave things alone. The more attention you pay an enemy, the stronger you make him and a small mistake is often made worse and more visible when you try to fix it. “By acknowledging a petty problem you give it existence and credibility. Such is the fate of him who opens his mouth too much and thereby puts himself at the mercy of the listener.
“Oysters open completely when the moon is full and when the crab sees one it throws a piece of stone or seaweed into it and the oyster cannot close again so that it serves the crab for meat. “The human tongue is a beast that few can master.” “Never be distracted by people’s glamorous portraits of themselves and their lives search and dig for what really imprisons them.” Keep friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent.” “The key to power, then, is the ability to judge who is best able to further your interests in all situations.