The Wallet of Kai Lung

It is a mark of insincerity of purpose to spend one's time in looking for the sacred Emperor in the low-class tea-shops.

Should a person on returning from the city discover his house to be in flames, let him examine well the change which he has received from the chair-carrier before it is too late; for evil never travels alone.

Although there exist many thousand subjects for elegant conversation, there are persons who cannot meet a cripple without talking about feet.

Before hastening to secure a possible reward of five taels by dragging an unobservant person away from a falling building, examine well his features lest you find, when too late, that it is one to whom you are indebted for double that amount.

Alas! It is well written, "The road to eminence lies through the cheap and exceedingly uninviting eating-houses."

When struck by a thunderbolt it is unnecessary to consult the Book of Dates as to the precise meaning of the omen.