该句使用对称结构表达德行与武力带来的不同结果。
Fish live in water and die in water; plants grow in soil and die in soil; humans live by the Way and die by the Way. —— Sima Qian
Those who rely on virtue prosper, those who rely on force perish. —— Sima Qian
Those who can act may not be able to speak; those who can speak may not be able to act. —— Sima Qian
Mount Tai does not reject soil, thus it becomes grand; rivers and seas do not reject small streams, thus they become deep. —— Sima Qian
Honest advice may offend, but benefits action; bitter medicine may taste unpleasant, but cures illness. —— Sima Qian
The world is bustling for profit; all strive and contend for gain. —— Sima Qian
Those who gain capable people prosper; those who lose them collapse. —— Sima Qian
Always consider sacrificing oneself to respond to the urgent needs of the nation. —— Sima Qian
When the birds are gone, the bow is hidden; when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked. —— Sima Qian
The wealthy give others wealth; the benevolent give words. —— Sima Qian
Bravery or cowardice comes from circumstance, strength or weakness comes from form; once examined, there is no reason for surprise. —— Sima Qian
A noble person uses others like tools, selecting each for their strengths. —— Sima Qian
Do not judge someone without understanding their friends. —— Sima Qian
A thief of a hook is punished, a thief of a nation may be spared. At the door of the mighty, benevolence and righteousness remain. —— Sima Qian
The agreement of a thousand who flatter is not worth the frankness of one upright man. —— Sima Qian
Things reach their peak and then decline, times reach extremes and then change; every substance and word undergoes cycles of beginning and end. —— Sima Qian
Self-cultivation is the foundation of wisdom, generosity is the beginning of benevolence, fairness is the sign of righteousness, and honor is the measure of courage. —— Sima Qian
If not flying, one remains grounded; if flying, one soars to the sky. If not singing, one remains silent; if singing, one astonishes the world. —— Sima Qian
A noble person with great virtue appears simple in appearance. —— Sima Qian
The words of many can melt metal; accumulated slander can destroy bones. —— Sima Qian
鱼生于水，死于水；草木生于土，死于土；人生于道，死于道。——司马迁
恃德者昌，恃力者亡。——司马迁
能行之者未必能言，能言之者未必能行。——司马迁
泰山不让土壤，故能成其大；河海不择细流，故能就其深。——司马迁
忠言逆耳利于行，良药苦口利于病。——司马迁
天下熙攘，皆为利来，天下攘攘，皆为利往。——司马迁
得人者兴，失人者崩。——司马迁
常思奋不顾身，而殉国家之急。——司马迁
飞鸟尽，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。——司马迁
富贵者送人以财，仁人者送人以言。——司马迁
勇怯势也，强弱形也，审矣，何足怪乎。——司马迁
君子用人如器，各取所长。——司马迁
不识其人视其友。——司马迁
窃钩者诛，窃国者矦。矦之门，仁义存。——司马迁
千人之诺诺，不如一士之谔谔。——司马迁
物盛则衰，时极而转，一质一文，终始之变也。——司马迁
修身者智之府也，爱施者仁之端也，取予者义之符也，耻辱者勇之决也。——司马迁
不飞则已，一飞冲天；不鸣则已，一鸣惊人。——司马迁
君子盛德，容貌若愚。——司马迁
众口铄金，积毁销骨。——司马迁
"To be wealthy without benevolence makes it impossible to sustain prosperity."
"There are many brilliant and talented people, yet many fail to cultivate their virtue."
"Virtue commands respect silently, whereas authority only breeds fear."
"Those with virtue naturally have good fortune, while the wise focus on principles."