1. Those who are extravagant and lazy will be poor, while those who are capable and thrifty will be rich. ——"Han Feizi·Xianxue"

Translation: People who are extravagant and lazy will be poor, while people who are hardworking and frugal will be rich.

2. Don’t think about living in peace and be prepared for danger, abstain from extravagance and be frugal; cut down the roots to seek luxuriant trees, block the sources to seek for flow. ——Wei Zheng of the Tang Dynasty, "Ten Thoughts on Remonstrance to Emperor Taizong"

Changye.

Translation: Don’t worry about being in a stable environment but think about the dangers that may arise, be wary of luxury and practice simplicity; cut off the roots of trees but hope that the trees will grow luxuriantly; block the source of water but hope that the water will flow forever .

3. A porridge and a meal, when you think about the difficulty of getting there; half a thread, half a thread, always think about the difficulty of material resources. ——"Zhu Xi's Family Instructions"

Translation: A little bit of food and clothing are hard-won, so we should always think of the difficulties of material resources and cherish them.

4. It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. ——Sima Guang's "Exercise thrift and show kindness"

Translation: It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.

5. Looking at the virtuous countries and families in the past, success was due to diligence and frugality, and failure was due to extravagance. ——Li Shangyin's "Two Ode to History"

Translation: Looking back at past dynasties, diligence and frugality can make a country prosperous, while luxury and corruption can lead to its destruction. It points out the key to the success or failure of all regimes.