"When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger, the other opportunity."
— John F. Kennedy

"Its important to be comfortable with uncertainty."
— Xiaolu Guo

"An army of the people is invincible!"
— Mao Zedong (Quotations From Chairman Mao Tse-Tung)

"If we don't change the direction we are headed, we will end up where we are going."
— Jodi Picoult (Nineteen Minutes)

"China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese. "
— Charles de Gaulle

"He who stands on tip toe
doesn't stand firm.

He who rushes ahead
doesn't go far.

He who tries to shine
dims his own light.

He who defines himself
can't know who he really is."
— Tao Te Ching

"Grant yourself a moment of peace, and you will lunderstand how foolishly you have scurried about.
Learn to be silent, and you will notice that you have talked too much.
Be kind, and you will realize that your judgement of others was too severe.
Hasten slowly, and you will soon arrive."
— Ancient Chinese proverb.

"Countless words
count less
than the silent balance
between yin and yang"

(from Verse 5, Tao Te Ching, translated by Ralph Alan Dale, 2002)
"
— Lao Tzu

"He who asks a question remains a fool for five minutes, bu he who doesn't not ask a question remains a fool forever."
— Chinese Proverb

"Don't hold a dagger in your heart."
— Chinese proverb

""I'm wondering whether I can explain," said Lee. "Where there is no likeness of experience it's very difficult. I understand you were not born in America."
"No, in Ireland."
"And in a few years you can almost disappear; while I, who was born in Grass Valley, went to school and several years to the University of California, have no chance of mixing."
"If you cut your queue, dressed and talked like other people?"
"No. I tried it. To the so-called whites I was still a Chinese, but an untrustworthy one; and at the same time my Chinese friends steered clear of me. I had to give it up.""
— John Steinbeck (East of Eden)

""...They said I looked like a foreign devil; they said I spoke like a foreign devil. I made mistakes in manners, and I didn't know delicacies that had grown up since my father left. They wouldn't have me. You can believe it or not - I'm less foreign here than I was in China.""
— John Steinbeck (East of Eden)

""The Story of the Woman with Three Brothers"

A woman once had three brothers. They all had wives, but she was not married. Though she was virtuous and hardworking, her brothers would not offer a dowry. How unhappy she was! What could she do?

She's so miserable, she goes to the garden and hangs herself from a tree.

The eldest brother walks through the garden and pretends not to see her. The second brother walks through the garden and pretends not to see that she's dead. The third brother sees her, bursts into tears, and takes her body inside.

A woman once had three brothers. When she died, no one wanted to care for her body. Though she had been virtuous and hardworking, her brothers would not serve her. How cruel this was! What would happen?

She is ignored in death as in life, until her body begins to stink.

The eldest brother gives one piece of cloth to cover her body. The second brother gives two pieces of cloth. The third brother wraps her in as many clothes as possible so she'll be warm in the afterworld.

A woman once had three brothers. Now dressed for her future as a spirit, her brothers won't spend any money on a coffin. Though she was virtuous and hardworking, her brothers are stingy. How unfair this was! Would she ever find rest?

All alone, all alone, she plans her haunting days.

The eldest brother says, "We don't need to bury her in a box. She is fine the way she is." The second brother says, "We could use that old box in the shed." The third brother says, "This is all the money I have. I will go and buy her a coffin."

A woman once had three brothers. They have come so far, but what will happen to Sister now? Elder brother- mean in spirit; Second brother- cold in heart; but in Third brother love may come through.

Elder brother says, "Let's bury her here by the water buffalo road." (meaning she would be trampled for all eternity) Second brother says, "Let's bury her here under the bridge." (meaning she would wash away) But third brother - good in heart, filial in all ways - says, "We will bury her behind the house so everyone will remember her.""
— Lisa See (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan)

"One cannot help collecting what one enjoys. [...] Because of this one knows that as soon as one is addicted, total absorption is inevitable."
— Ji Yun translated by David Keenan