What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”

Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy’s plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.

Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”

Clouds float like works of art;
Stars shoot with grief at heart.
Across the Milky Way the Cowherd meets the Maid.
When autumn’s Golden Wind embraces Dew of Jade,
All the love scenes on earth, however many, fade.
Their tender love flows like a stream,
This happy date seems but a dream.
Can they bear a separate howard way?
If love between two sides can last for aye,
Why need they stay together night and day?

Qin Guan (1048-1100), “Immortal at the Magpie Bridge” (Translated by Xu Yuanchong)

Marriage is the only war in which you sleep with the enemy.

All marriages are happy. It’s living together afterwards that is difficult.

You have to keep creating a marriage. We talk about everything. We grow and change together, because nothing ever stays the same; you’ve got to continue evolving.

Kelly Preston

I’ve stayed in my marriage this long because I never disagree with my wife. Whatever she says is the right choice.

Steven Spielberg

In the Palace of Eternal Youth,
On the July 7th moon,
Alone they had whispered,
To each other at midnight:
“In heaven we shall be birds,
Flying side by side.
On earth flowering sprigs,
On the same branch!”

Bai Juyi, “Song of Eternal Sorrow”

The best way to avoid responsibility is to say, “I’ve got responsibilities.”

Richard Bach, “Illusions”

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.

Richard Bach, “Illusions”