“In the old days a wise and upright ruler held virture in highest esteem and honored good scholars regardless of their social position. What they loved was virtue, and a emperor with ten thousand chariots at his beck and call would have a lowborn man as a friend. So how can we make a issue of who is high and who is low?”
“My mind is tired and my nerves are frayed from the war. Why must I be so engaged with worldly troubles? After I have fulfilled my duties I will retire and live in nature, detached from the cares of this world of dust.”