For ten long years, one sword I whetted,
Its frosty edge, as yet, untried.
Today, I hold it unsheathed before you;
Of you, to whom was justice denied?
~Jia Dao: (The) Swordsman
i keep using this poem because it's so good for my purposes. EDIT: let's break it down line-by-line;
- Cultivate your conduct. Take all the time in the world. But do it. Whet that sword.
- Steel in your heart, fire in your belly, ice in your veins. You contain multitudes. You contain a world.
- Consent. Make sure you know what the people need.
- Justice. The first word and the last curse.