Examples of Li Shutong’s eight mottos are as follows:

1. When people are in danger, I should treat them with magnanimity.

2. Things can never be done, and words cannot be exhausted.

3. It is better to hear about others’ mistakes than to hear about one’s own mistakes.

4. Treat others with tolerance and conduct yourself calmly.

5. Those who do not respect themselves will be humiliated, and those who do not fear themselves will be in trouble.

6. The brave man who conquers the world is not brave but timid.

7. You must leave room for action and be strict with your responsibilities.

8. Keep your belly full and stand on your heels.

9. Don’t be content with contentment, don’t be in danger by talking too much.

10. Favor is first gained and then lost, fear is loosened first and then tightened.

11. Those who debate in the world are not arguing but being indifferent.

12. The word "slow down" can avoid regrets, and the word "back" can avoid disaster.

13. A wise person should be careful not to be too careful; a strong person should be careful not to be too violent.

14. Avoid complete victory in things, perfection in affairs, and prosperity in people.

15. Virtue is great if you must have patience; things can be helped if you must have patience.

Li Shutong was born in Li Zhai, the former residence of Dizang in Hebei District, Tianjin. The ancestor Li Rui was originally from Pinghu, Zhejiang, and settled in Tianjin. He was engaged in the salt and silver industries. His father, Li Shizhen, whose courtesy name was Xiaolou, was a Jinshi in the fourth year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty. He was once the head of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. He later resigned and inherited his father's business and became a wealthy man in Jinmen. The third in the line, his childhood name is Chengqi, his scientific name is Wentao, and his courtesy name is Shutong. ?

Li Shutong was influenced by Buddhism when he was young. It is said that on the day he was born, a magpie carried pine branches in its mouth to the delivery room. Everyone thought it was an auspicious gift from the Buddha. Later, Li Shutong carried this pine branch with him and never left it for the rest of his life. His parents both believed in Buddhism, and his aunt (Li Shizhen's aunt) Guo was also a devout Buddhist. Shutong learned to recite the "Great Compassion Mantra" and "Rebirth Mantra" from her.

His eldest sister-in-law believed in Buddhism and once taught him to recite Buddhist scriptures. When Shu Tong was a child, he often studied the practices of monks with his third brother at home. "Both of them used quilts or bedspreads as cassocks, and played in the house or on the Kang, chanting Buddha's name." When Li Shutong was six or seven years old, he began to study with his brother Wenxi, who was 12 years older than him, and learned daily etiquette.