Looking at the virtuous countries and families in the past, their success was due to diligence and frugality, and their success was due to extravagance. ——"Two Ode to History·Part 2" by Li Shangyin of the Tang Dynasty

Translation: Throughout history, for any wise country, success stems from diligence and frugality, while decline stems from luxury.

Quietness cultivates one’s character, frugality cultivates virtue. —— Zhuge Liang's "Book of Commandments" of the Han Dynasty

Translation: Improve one's self-cultivation through tranquility, and cultivate one's own character through frugality.

If we strengthen our roots and use them sparingly, we will never be poor. ——Xun Kuang's "Lun of Heaven"

Translation: Strengthen the foundation of agriculture and save costs, then Heaven cannot make him poor.

A gentleman uses frugality to overcome difficulties, but cannot use glory and wealth. ——"Yi Zhuan·Fou"

Translation: A gentleman must adhere to the virtue of diligence and thrift in order to avoid danger and disaster. He cannot seek high officials and generous salaries to pursue glory and wealth.

Frugality is the greatest virtue; extravagance is the greatest evil. ——Sima Guang of the Song Dynasty, "Zuo Zhuan: The Twenty-fourth Year of Duke Zhuang"

Translation: Frugality is the greatest virtue; luxury is the greatest evil.

Virtue is used internally, but virtue is cultivated externally. ——Zuo Qiuming's "Zuo Zhuan Zhaogong Nineteenth Year"

Translation: Be diligent and thrifty for yourself, and establish noble moral character for outsiders.

The journey of a gentleman is to cultivate one’s character through tranquility, and to cultivate one’s virtue through frugality. If it is not indifferent, it will not clear its aspirations, and if it is not peaceful, it will not be far-reaching. —— Zhuge Liang of the Han Dynasty, "The Book of Commandments"

Translation: The conduct and ethics of a gentleman should improve his self-cultivation through tranquility and cultivate his character through frugality. If you are not calm and have few desires, you will not be able to clarify your ambitions, and if you do not eliminate external interference, you will not be able to achieve lofty goals.

Those who are extravagant will be in ruins, while those who are frugal will be at peace. ——Bai Juyi of the Tang Dynasty, "The Vast Grass - Punishing a Rich Burial"

Translation: Simple people and luxurious people each have their rewards.

Who knows that every meal on the plate is hard work. ——"Two Poems of Compassion for the Farmers" by Li Shen of the Tang Dynasty

Translation: Who would have thought that every grain of rice in our bowls is filled with the blood and sweat of the farmers?

One porridge and one meal, when you think about where you came from, it is not easy. ——"Zhu Xi's Family Instructions·Full Text"

Translation: For a meal of porridge or a meal, we should think about it as hard-earned.