"Heaven grew weary of the excessive pride and luxury of China... I am from the Barbaric North. I wear the same clothing and eat the same food as the cowherds and horse-herders."

"I am the master of my own destiny, and the fate of nations."

"A man's greatest work is to conquer his enemies, to ride their horses, and seize their wealth, and to have their most delightful wives as his concubines."

"Do not despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say it will not become a dragon?"

"With Heaven's aid I have conquered for you a huge empire. But my life was too short to achieve the conquest of the world. That task is left for you."