Before wine, one should sing — for how long is life? Like morning dew, so many days have passed.
寧教我負天下人、休教天下人負我。

Military Strategists
Cao Cao
The dominant warlord of China's Three Kingdoms era (155-220 CE), who unified the war-torn north through military genius, political cunning, and meritocratic talent recruitment. Equally accomplished as a poet and administrator, Cao Cao embodies the archetype of the complete leader — strategist, statesman, and artist in one.
View this figure's profile
Cao Cao's Other Quotes
Related Quotes
是非に及ばず。
-- Oda Nobunaga
信玄の兵法に、のちの勝ちを大切にするとある。それもよいが、わしは先の勝ちを大切にする。
-- Uesugi Kenshin
Youth on horseback has passed. The world is at peace and white hairs multiply. With what remains of life that heaven permits, how can I not enjoy it?
-- Date Masamune
This man might be the one to seize the realm.
-- Kuroda Yoshitaka
After victory, tighten the cords of your helmet.
-- Kuroda Yoshitaka
Writing is only good for recording names. Swordsmanship defeats one man — that's not worth learning. I want to learn what defeats ten thousand.
-- Xiang Yu