"Let every thought that challenges my authority be extinguished, just as every book that promotes such thoughts shall be burned."

"I will not tolerate dissent. The unity of the empire depends on absolute obedience."

"These men, Qin Shi Huang declared, claimed to be sorcerers. If they really had magic powers, then they could bring themselves back to life."

"I have unified all under heaven."

"I have brought order to a chaotic world, and my descendants shall rule for a thousand generations. The past is but a shadow; the future is mine to command."