Sima Qian’s famous sayings are as follows:

1. The words are beautiful in appearance, but the truth is true, the medicine is bitter, and the sweet words are disease. ——Sima Qian

2. At the peak of governance, neighboring countries look at each other. Hearing the sound of chickens and dogs, the people enjoy their food, dress well, live in their customs, and enjoy their occupations. ——Sima Qian

3. There is no sorrow that comes from heartbreak, no ugliness that comes from humiliation, and no dirt that comes from palace punishment. ——Sima Qian

4. Mount Tai does not allow soil, so it can grow as big as possible; rivers and seas do not accept small streams, so they can grow as deep as possible. ——Sima Qian

5. Millions of corpses are lying on the ground, bleeding and soaked. ——Sima Qian

6. Study the relationship between heaven and man and understand the changes in ancient and modern times. ——Sima Qian

7. The bustling world is all for profit, and the bustling world is for profit. ——Sima Qian

8. The promise of a thousand people is not as good as the care of one person. ——Sima Qian

9. When things flourish, they decline, and when times change, one quality and one article change from beginning to end.

——Sima Qian